Benjamin Knight (1755 - 1831)

Born 20 Apr 1755 in Plaistow, Province of New Hampshire

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 26 Jul 1831 at age 76 in Landaff, Grafton County, New Hampshire, USA

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Chase Ashley [send private message]

Biography

Parentage; Date and Place of Birth

Benjamin Knight, son of Ebenezer Knight and Mehetabel (Simons) Knight, was born in Plaistow, New Hampshire on April 20, 1755.^[1]

Revolutionary War

Private Benjamin Knight served with 2nd New Hampshire Regiment (1775), Continental Army during the American Revolution.

Sergeant Benjamin Knight served with 3rd New Hampshire Regiment (1777), Continental Army during the American Revolution.

Benjamin Knight is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A066417.

Benjamin Knight is an NSSAR Patriot Ancestor.
NSSAR Ancestor #: 261620
Rank: Sargeant / Patriotic Service

Benjamin enlisted on May 27, 1775 in the Continental Army and was placed in Captain Samuel Gilman's Company of Col. Enoch Poor's Regiment (the 2d New Hampshire Regiment of the Continental Army), as a private.^[2][3]The 2d New Hampshire Regiment was initial stationed at Portsmouth and Exeter. It was then sent to Boston after the Battle of Bunker Hill, arriving on June 25, 1775. The Regiment was absorbed into the Continental Army and ordered into the Northern Department, where it supported General Richard Montgomery's ill-fated invasion of Canada in December 1775. After the disaster in Canada, Col. Poor led the survivors back to Fort Ticonderoga. The Regiment was renamed as the 8th Continental regiment and joined Washington's main army in December 1776 at winter quarters near Morristown, New Jersey.^[4] It is unclear how long Benjamin stayed in the Regiment.

In February 1777, Benjamin re-enlisted with the Continental Army for a period of three years as a sergeant in the Capt. Benjamin's Stone's Company (the Seventh Company) of the Third New Hampshire Regiment, commanded by Col. Alexander Scammell.^[5][6] The Regiment was initially stationed at Fort Ticonderoga. After the arrival of General Burgoyne's forces, the Regiment retreated from Fort Ticonderoga on July 6, 1777. It later particpated in the Battles of Saratoga in the fall of 1777 and then marched south and suffered through the infamous winter of 1777-1778 at Valley Forge.^[7]

According to Benjamin's DAR information, Benjamin was taken as a prisoner during the Revolutionary War.^[8] Records suggest that he was captured by British forces during the retreat from Fort Ticonderoga (as was part of Benjamin's old regiment, the Second New Hampshire^[4]) and was later released in an exchange of prisoners. On a muster of Capt. Benjamin Stone's Company in the Third Battalion of New Hampshire, Continental Army, commanded by Col. Alexander Scammell, taken January 2, 1778 at Valley Forge, Benjamin was listed as a sergeant, but as having been missing since July 7, 1777.^[9] A muster in November 1778, shows that Benjamin had rejoined Captain Stone's Company of the Third Battalion, which was then stationed in Danbury, Connecticut.^[10] While he was held by the British, he may have been imprisoned on the notorious HMS Jersey, as records show that two American prisoners named Benjamin Knight were, at some point during the war, held on that ship.^[11]

A March 1779 muster shows Benjamin serving as a sergeant in Capt. David McGregors Company of the Third Battalion, which was stationed at Camp Reading,^[12] at Redding, Connecticut.^[13] Benjamin was discharged in February 1780, when his three-year enlistment ended.^[14]

Marriage

Benjamin Knight married Sarah "Sally" Jackman also from Plaistow, New Hampshire,^[15] about 1787.^[16]

Removal from Haverhill/Plaistow to Landaff

Probably shortly after they were married, Benjamin and Sally joined Sally's brother Moses and others from the Haverhill/Plaistow area in moving to Landaff, Grafton County, Massachusetts.

Children

Benjamin and Sally had the following children, all in Landaff:

1. Amy/Abi, b. December 21, 1787,^[17] d. November 5, 1799^[18]
2. Polly, b. April 12,1789,^[19] d. October 26, 1799^[18]
3. Mehitable, b. February 12, 1791,^[20] d. November 13, 1799^[21]
4. Lucy, b. September 26, 1792,^[22] November 1, 1799^[21]
5. Joseph, b. June 3, 1794^[23]
6. Benjamin, b. April 22, 1796^[24]
7. Francis, b. February 22, 1798, m. October 28, 1821 Catherine Mooers in Lisbon, New Hampshire, d. May 20, 1842 in Landaff, New Hampshire. (See discussion and sources in Francis's profile.)
8. Moses Jackman, b. March 11, 1800^[25]
9. Maren/Moren, b. September 1, 1802^[26][27]
10. George, b. September 4, 1804^[28][29]
11. Zelenda, b December 14, 1806^[30]

US Censuses

The 1790 US Census for Landaff, New Hampshire shows a household headed by Benjamin Knight and containing 1 free white male 16 and older (Benjamin), 4 free white females (wife Sally and daughters Amy, Polly and Mehitable).^[31]

The 1800 US Census for Landaff shows a household headed by Benjamin Knight and containing 4 free white males under 10 (sons Joseph, Benjamin, Francis and Moses), 1 free white male 45 & older (Benjamin), 1 free white female 16-25 (unclear who this would have been) and 1 free white female 26-44 (wife Sally).^[32]

Then 1810 US Census for Landaff shows a household headed by Benjamin Knight and containing 2 free white males under 10 (sons Maren and George), 3 free white males 10-15 (sons Benjamin, Francis and Moses), 1 free white male 16-25 (son Joseph), 1 free white male 45 & older (Benjamin), 1 free white female under 10 (Zelenda), and 1 free white female 45 & over (Sally).^[33]

No household headed by this profile's Benjamin Knight has been found in the 1820 or 1830 US Censuses. It is possible that he was living in the household of one of his children.

Death; Burial

Capt. Benjamin Knight died on July 26, 1831.^[34] His gravestone can be found in Landaff Center Cemetery, in Landaff, Grafton County, New Hampshire.^[34]

^{[33] [32] [21] [18] [31] [30] [29] [28] [27] [26] [25] [24] [23] [22] [20] [19] [17] [1] [11] [10] [4] [3] [2] [6] [5] [8] [9] [12] [13] [14] [34] [7]}

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "New Hampshire Birth Records, Early to 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLGC-JMV : 23 February 2021), Benjamin Knight, 20 Apr 1755; citing Plaistow, Rockingham, New Hampshire, United States, Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics, Concord; FHL microfilm 1,001,010.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} "United States Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QL6T-BXTX : 20 February 2021), Benjamin Knight, 27 May 1775; citing 27 May 1775, New Hampshire, United States, citing NARA microfilm publication M246. Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Services, 1980. FHL microfilm 830,330.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} "United States Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QL65-LS3M : 20 February 2021), Benjamin Knight, 17 Jun 1775; citing 17 Jun 1775, New Hampshire, United States, citing NARA microfilm publication M246. Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Services, 1980. FHL microfilm 830,330.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} "2d New Hampshire Regiment," wikipedia.org
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} "United States Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QL6Y-BJ15 : 20 February 2021), Benjamin Knight, 27 Feb 1777; citing 27 Feb 1777, New Hampshire, United States, citing NARA microfilm publication M246. Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Services, 1980. FHL microfilm 830,327.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} "United States Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QL6Y-Q4R7 : 20 February 2021), Benjamin Knight, 21 Mar 1777; citing 21 Mar 1777, New Hampshire, United States, citing NARA microfilm publication M246. Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Services, 1980. FHL microfilm 830,327.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} "3rd New Hampshire Regiment," wikipedia.org
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1} "Knight, Benjamin," Ancestor Search, Daughters of the American Revolution. Link to records at services.dar.org.
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1} "United States Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WB-9KVF?cc=2068326&wc=M61K-JWL%3A355084101 : 31 October 2017), 48-New Hampshire (jacket 34-48) > image 80 of 534; citing NARA microfilm publication M246 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1980).
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1} "United States Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9WB-9LLZ?cc=2068326&wc=M61K-JWL%3A355084101 : 31 October 2017), 48-New Hampshire (jacket 34-48) > image 98 of 534; citing NARA microfilm publication M246 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1980).
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} "American Prisoners of the Revolution: Names of 8000 Men," usmm.org. Link to page at ussmm.org.
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1} "United States Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9WB-9LNY?cc=2068326&wc=M61K-JWL%3A355084101 : 31 October 2017), 48-New Hampshire (jacket 34-48) > image 108 of 534; citing NARA microfilm publication M246 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1980).
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1} Poirier, David A., "Camp Reading: Logistices of a Revolutionary War Winter Encampment." Link to page at orb.binghamton.edu.
14. ↑ ^{14.0 14.1} "New Hampshire Revolutionary War Records, 1675-1835," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99QD-K98Z-T?cc=1880940&wc=QDRZ-BZ1%3A1589852403%2C1589852420 : 7 October 2016), Rolls > Muster rolls and petitions, 1778-1787 > image 252 of 764; New Hampshire State Archives, Division of Records Management and Archives, Concord.
15. ↑ So stated on Sally Jackman's gravestone. "Sally Jackman Knight," findagrave.com
16. ↑ Date based on date of birth of first child.
17. ↑ ^{17.0 17.1} "New Hampshire, Births and Christenings, 1714-1904," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FDNN-CJG : accessed 2 May 2015), Amy Knight, 21 Dec 1787; citing LANDAFF TWP,GRAFTON,NEW HAMPSHIRE; FHL microfilm 1,001,010.
18. ↑ ^{18.0 18.1 18.2} Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/51953255/abi-knight : accessed 21 November 2021), memorial page for Abi Knight (1791–5 Nov 1799), Find A Grave: Memorial #51953255, citing Landaff Center Cemetery, Landaff, Grafton County, New Hampshire, USA ; Maintained by ancestors-R-us (contributor 46568159) .
19. ↑ ^{19.0 19.1} "New Hampshire, Birth Records, Early to 1900," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLGC-GZN : accessed 2 May 2015), Polly Knight, 12 Apr 1789; citing Landaff, Grafton, New Hampshire, United States, Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics, Concord; FHL microfilm 1,001,010.
20. ↑ ^{20.0 20.1} "New Hampshire, Birth Records, Early to 1900," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLGC-LL3 : accessed 2 May 2015), Mehitable Knight, 12 Feb 1791; citing Landaff, Grafton, New Hampshire, United States, Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics, Concord; FHL microfilm 1,001,010.
21. ↑ ^{21.0 21.1 21.2} Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/51953259/lucy-knight : accessed 21 November 2021), memorial page for Lucy Knight (1795–1 Nov 1799), Find A Grave: Memorial #51953259, citing Landaff Center Cemetery, Landaff, Grafton County, New Hampshire, USA ; Maintained by ancestors-R-us (contributor 46568159) .
22. ↑ ^{22.0 22.1} "New Hampshire, Births and Christenings, 1714-1904," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FDNN-CVN : accessed 2 May 2015), Lucy Knight, 26 Sep 1792; citing LANDAFF TWP,GRAFTON,NEW HAMPSHIRE; FHL microfilm 1,001,010.
23. ↑ ^{23.0 23.1} "New Hampshire, Births and Christenings, 1714-1904," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FDJD-2JV : accessed 2 May 2015), Joseph Knight, 03 Jun 1794; citing LANDAFF TWP,GRAFTON,NEW HAMPSHIRE; FHL microfilm 1,001,010.
24. ↑ ^{24.0 24.1} "New Hampshire, Birth Records, Early to 1900," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLGC-JMN : accessed 1 May 2015), Benjamin Knight, 22 Apr 1796; citing Landaff, Grafton, New Hampshire, United States, Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics, Concord; FHL microfilm 1,001,010.
25. ↑ ^{25.0 25.1} "New Hampshire, Births and Christenings, 1714-1904," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FDJD-2JG : accessed 2 May 2015), Moses J. Knight, 11 Mar 1800; citing LANDAFF TWP,GRAFTON,NEW HAMPSHIRE; FHL microfilm 1,001,010.
26. ↑ ^{26.0 26.1} "New Hampshire, Birth Records, Early to 1900," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLGC-LL7 : accessed 2 May 2015), Maren Knight, 01 Sep 1802; citing Landaff, Grafton, New Hampshire, United States, Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics, Concord; FHL microfilm 1,001,010.
27. ↑ ^{27.0 27.1} "New Hampshire, Births and Christenings, 1714-1904," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FDJD-2JB : accessed 2 May 2015), Moren Knight, 01 Sep 1802; citing LANDAFF TWP,GRAFTON,NEW HAMPSHIRE; FHL microfilm 1,001,010.
28. ↑ ^{28.0 28.1} "New Hampshire, Birth Records, Early to 1900," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLGC-KHR : accessed 2 May 2015), George Knight, Sep 1804; citing Landaff, Grafton, New Hampshire, United States, Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics, Concord; FHL microfilm 1,001,010.
29. ↑ ^{29.0 29.1} "New Hampshire, Births and Christenings, 1714-1904," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FDJD-2NT : accessed 2 May 2015), George Knight, 04 Sep 1804; citing LANDAFF TWP,GRAFTON,NEW HAMPSHIRE; FHL microfilm 1,001,010.
30. ↑ ^{30.0 30.1} "New Hampshire, Birth Records, Early to 1900," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLGC-PVF : accessed 2 May 2015), Zelenda Knight, 14 Dec 1806; citing Landaff, Grafton, New Hampshire, United States, Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics, Concord; FHL microfilm 1,001,010.
31. ↑ ^{31.0 31.1} "United States Census, 1790," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YBC-96BJ?cc=1803959&wc=3XT9-QM3%3A1584070803%2C1584071435%2C1584071453 : 14 May 2015), New Hampshire > Grafton > Lancaster > image 2 of 2; citing NARA microfilm publication M637, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
32. ↑ ^{32.0 32.1} "United States Census, 1800," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9R8F-QHG?cc=1804228&wc=3V1X-K6V%3A1585148820%2C1585148848%2C1585148860 : 10 June 2015), New Hampshire > Grafton > Landaff > image 2 of 2; citing NARA microfilm publication M32, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
33. ↑ ^{33.0 33.1} "United States Census, 1810," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYB4-LGK?cc=1803765&wc=QZZC-B1Z%3A1588182403%2C1588182455%2C1588182461 : 1 December 2015), New Hampshire > Grafton > Landaff > image 3 of 4; citing NARA microfilm publication M252, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
34. ↑ ^{34.0 34.1 34.2} "Capt. Benjamin Knight", findagrave.com