512 John Knight

512John Knight

Key Facts

Snapshot:	earliest known Knight ancestor; lived in colonial Virginia
Parents:	uncertain; see notes below
Born:	unknown
Died:	between 7 February 1760 and 18 February 1762 probably Sussex County, Virginia
Buried:	unknown

Note: Some of the research presented here is based on: John Frederick Dorman, Ancestors and Descendants of Francis Epes I of Virginia (Epes-Eppes-Epps), Volume I (Society of the Descendants of Francis Epes I of Virginia, 1992), pages 146-147 (“1153 ELIZABETH4 EPES”).

Problem: Unresolved
Who is 512John's father?

There is some evidence that 512John's father may be James Knight, son of Captain Peter Knight. I've described that evidence here. Unfortunately, the evidence is not conclusive. An attempt to confirm the hypothesis using DNA evidence is suggestive but still uncertain due to a frustrating gap in the paper trail.

Fortunately, this problem may be solvable with Y-DNA from a male-line descendant of William C. Knight. I'm offering a financial reward for anyone who can provide such Y-DNA test results.

512John married 513Elizabeth Eppes, as explained below. (Laura Knight-Jadczyk's article, which I discuss at the beginning of the abovementioned page of evidence to identify 512John's father, presents evidence that 512John very likely had an earlier wife before 513Elizabeth Eppes, likely named Elizabeth Jordan, but her identity can't be stated with certainty. I refer you to the article for further details.)

Problem: Resolved
Who is 512John's wife?

Unfortunately, 512John's will does not mention his wife, but it does name several children: William, John, Joel, Edward, Peter, Richard, Jordan, Sara, Anne, and Mary, and also a grandson John.1

Of his ten children, three (Peter,2 Sarah,3 and Mary4) have extant baptism records, and in each the parents are described as 512John Knight and his wife 513Elizabeth.

513Elizabeth's maiden name—Eppes—is deduced from the will of "Daniel Eppes of the parish of Albemarle and County of Surry," which names as an heir "my daughter Elizabeth Knight." 5

To help confirm that these two records (i.e., 1026Daniel's will, versus the baptism records of Peter, Sarah, and Mary) both refer to the same 513Elizabeth, notice that 512John and 513Elizabeth had a grandson named Francis Eppes Knight,6 and that 513Elizabeth's great-grandfather was actually named Francis Eppes. Because Francis Eppes Knight seems to have been named in honor of his (presumptive) great-great-great-grandfather 4104Francis Eppes, ancestor of 513Elizabeth Eppes, one may more confidently conclude that 512John's wife was indeed 513Elizabeth Eppes.

512John had ten known children: William, 256John, Jordan, Edward, Joel, Peter (born 8 January 1739/402), Sarah (born 25 August 17423), Richard, Anne, and Mary (born 21 September 17494).1

1742: 512John and 513Elizabeth in the parish's baptism record of their daughter Sarah. Full page.3

512John wrote his will on 7 February 1760, and it was probated 18 February 1762. A copy of the will is below, accompanied by a transcription.1

	In the Name of God Amen I John Knight of Sussex County being in perfect Health of Body and of sound Mind Memory and Understanding Thanks be to Almighty God, do constitute Ordain and Appoint this to be my true last Will & Testament hereby Revoking and disannulling[?] all former Wills or Testaments by me heretofore made in manner & form following, that is to say,
Imprimis	I give and Devise to my loving Son William to his Heirs forever one moity of the Tract of Land I now live upon to be laid of adjoining to Lee's Branch, provided always and upon Condition that he pay or cause to be paid to each of my loving Sons John, Joel, Edward, Peter, & Richard fifty shillings Current money of Virginia within three Months after my decease.
Item	I give and Devise to my loving Son Jordan and to his Heirs forever the other moity of my tract of Land to be laid off on that part whereon the Houses now stand, provided always & upon Condition that he pay or cause to be paid to each of my loving sons, John, Joel, Edward Peter, and Richard fifty shillings Current money of Virginia within three months after my decease. I also give my said Son Jordan one Bed and furniture six Pewter Plates and two Pewter Dishes, and two ___ and ___.
Item	I give and devise all and every part of the Residue of my Estate whatsoever to be equally Divided amongst my loving children, William, John, Jordan, Edward, Joel, Peter, Richard, Sara, Anne, & Mary, and my Grandson John Knight, share and share alike to them and their Heirs forever.
Item	My Will and desire is that my Estate may not be appraised.
Lastly	I hereby constitute and appoint my loving Sons William and Jordan my lone[?] and ___ Executors of all and every part of this my last Will and Testatment In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed my Seal this seventh Day of February 1760.
Signed Sealed and Delivered his by the Testator to be his last Will John I Knight LS in presence of us mark [Witness' signatures]
	At a Court held for Sussex County the 18th Day of February 1762 The abovewritten last Will and Testament of John Knight deced was presented in Court by William and Jordan Knight the Executors therein named [...]