Once a Knight is Enough

Knight Genealogy

by Laura Knight

 

Knight Records 1670 - 1679

See Knight Records 1166-1549 for key.

1670 – Jan 18 – UK London – Admin – Sir Ralph Knight - Settlement on the marriage of John Clerkson and Esther Knight daughter of Sir Ralph Knight whereby William Clerkson and John (his son) lease to John Knight of the Middle Temple esq. and George Flower of Edwinstowe gent. for a term of 500 years the manor of Willoughby, a capital messuage in Kirton, and all lands in Kirton, Willoughby, Walesby, Boughton, and Wellow to hold in trust for the male issue of the marriage, and in default of heirs male to raise £3000 to be divided among any daughters, reserving to William an annuity of £160. Dated 18 January. (Derbyshire Record Office, Ref: D239 M/T 1743-1744) Note: The name is Kirketon and was in Nottinghamshire. 

“The family of William Clarkson, esquire, hath had a fair capital mess. and goodly demesne in Kirketon, and Willoughby, for many descents. (fn. 21) The first I have noted was John Clerkson, husband of Margaret, by whom he had William Clerkson, esquire, who married Isabell, daughter of George Nevill of Ragnall, esquire, who bore him Dorothy, the wife of Edmund Hunt of Normanton, esquire. and Barbara married to Cuthbert Bevercotes, esquire, and Leonard, and John, but the eldest was Michael Clerkson, esquire, who had to wife Saunch, the daughter of John Poutrell, esquire, and by her John Clerkson, who married Elizabeth, daughter of sir George Rodney, who bore him several sons, Michael married Dorothy, daughter of William Hartup, and by her had William Clarkson, esquire, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Williamson of Great Markham, and by her had John Clarkson, who married Sarah [Esther], daughter of sir Raph Knight, knight. Source  Also see: Willoughby Manor.

1670 – Mar 30 – UK Yorkshire Langold – Camb Alum – Isaac Knight - Adm. pens. (age 17) at CHRIST'S, Mar. 30, 1670. S. of Ralph Knight. B. at Langold, Yorks. Taught by Mr Bernard. Matric. 1670; B.A. 1673-4; M.A. 1677. Ord. deacon and priest (London) June 6, 1683 (as M.A. of Christ's). Of Langold, Letwell, when he succeeded his father in 1695. Married Elizabeth, dau. of Sir John Robinson, of Denston, Suffolk. Died Sept. 13, 1721. Buried at Firbeck. (Peile, II. 28: M. H. Peacock.)

1670 - Apr 2 – VA Isle of Wight - James Ennis & His Sonne James – Land patent for 200 acs. Low. Par. Of Is. Of Wight Co., upon the mayne br. Of Pagan Cr., adj. Land of Capt. Jno. Upton now in Jno. Wheatelye’s possession, & the Batchellors plantation, now in possession of Peter Garland; 2 Apr 1670, p. 285. Granted to Mr. Peter Knight 13 Mar 1638, who sold to sd. Ennis last day of Jan. 1665. (Nugent II, p. 72)

1670 – Apr 18 – VA Surry – Admin – Thomas Blake – Land patent for 400 acres on a branch of the Blackwater by the land of Henry Knight. (Boddie)

1670 - Jun 10 – VA Surry – Admin - Tithables list - Selected: Mathew Swamm, John Phillips, Henry Baker, William Hare, William Newsome, William Jordan, John Kindred, Lawrence Baker, George Watkins, Henry Clarke, Robert Giles, Anthony Evans, John Clarke, Henry Gray, Thomas Taylor, Robert Reynolds, Thomas Clay, William Hancock, John Gregory, Richard Morris, William Butler, James Murrey, David Williams, Robert Lancaster, Matthew Marriott, John Clements, Maj. Marriott, Mr. Merriwether, Capt. Corker, Thomas Gray, Francis Gray, Thomas Ironmonger, Widow Mizell, Daniel Regan, Roger Williams, Thomas Swann, Thomas Andrews, Lt. Col. George Jordan, James Watkins, George Lee, Arthur Jordan, Mrs. Faith Flood, Nathaniel Knight, Thomas Clarke. (VA Gen. Soc. Qrtly. Vol. 24, No. 1) Note: It appears that William Knight has left.

1670 - Jun 26 – VA Henrico – Admin - Mr. Robert Woodson – Land patent for 1192 Acs. … N. side James Riv., Adj. Thomas Ludwell, Esqr., Thomas Ligon, John Woodson, Col. Stegg & Mr. Ballard. Trans. Of 24 pers: Names include Ambrose Bennett, Thomas Hughes (Hewes). (Nugent II, p. 73) Note: This is the first land record I have found for any Woodson in Virginia.  Also note that the tract is adjacent that of Thomas Ligon whose antecedent figures in the Woodson family myth.

1670 - Jul 20 -  VA Northumberland – Admin – Peter Knight - Court: Mr. Peter Knight & Capt. Edmund Lyster are appointed to view ye bounds of ye Land betweene Mr. Robert Jones & ye Indians, & see what damages either have reced. by ye other; & give their report thereof to ye next Cort. (Sparacio NCOBA 1669-1673, p. 20)

1670 - Jul 20 - VA Northumberland – Admin – Peter Knight - Court: The Accots. Between Mr. Phillip Ludwell & Mr. Peter Knight was by ye Cort referred to ye auditeing of Mr. Robert Jones & Mr. Leonard Howson, who upon ye examinacon of ye sd. Accots doe finde yt there is due upon balance of ye sd. Accots. from ye sd. Knight to ye sd Ludwell, One hundred twenty & eight pounds of tobacco & caske for wch Judgmt. is granted ye sd Ludwell agt. ye sd. Knight with costs. (Sparacio NCOBA 1669-1673, p. 20)

1670 - Jul 20 - VA Northumberland – Admin – Peter Knight - Court: An attachmt. is granted Mr. Peter Knight against ye Estate of Thomas Steed for nine hundred & fifty pounds of tobacco & caske returneable to ye next Cort. (Sparacio NCOBA 1669-1673 p. 21)

1670 – Oct 15 – UK Worcester Stoke Prior – Ox Alum – Stephen Knight – s/o Francis Knight of Stoke Prior, co. Worcester, gent. Pembroke Coll, matric 15 Oct 1670, aged 17; bar.-at-law, Gray’s Inn, 1678.  See Foster’s Judges and Barristers.  (Oxford University Alumni 1500-1886, pp. 861-863)

1670 - Oct 19 – VA Surry – Admin - George Watkins – Land patent for 105 acs. adj. The Sunken Marsh & land of William Newsom (Nusam)… etc. (Nugent II, p. 82)

1671 - Jan 25 - VA Northumberland – Admin – Peter Knight - Court: Whereas there appears due unto Mr. Peter Knight from Mr. John Cossens (Cossins, Cousins?) ye sume of eight hundred ninety & five pounds of Tobaccoe & caske for Levyes in ye yeare 1664. Judgmt. is granted ye sd Mr. Peter Knight agt. ye sd Mr. Cossens for ye sd. Sume wth costs. (Sparacio NCOBA 1669-1673, p. 30)

1671 – Jan 25 – UK Kent Folkstone – Bap – Richard Knight – s/o Richard Knight and Susanna. (Tyler)

1671 - Feb 21 VA Northumberland – Admin – Peter Knight - Order Book 1666-78: Certificate is granted Mr. Peter Knight for 200 acres of Land for ye Importation of 4 persons (viz) John Stephens, George Browne, Samuel Auckland (Oakland), Elin Price. (Haynie, p. 531) Note: The Samuel Auckland here is apparently the same one who was adjuged to be 18 years old in 1668 Nov 5, around 3 years earlier; that's the usual delay between importation and granting of headrights.

1671 – Mar 13 – MD Somerset County – Admin – Peter Knight - Att A Court helld the 13th: day of March in the XXXXth: year of the Dominion of y Rt: honble: Caecilius &c Anno Domini 1671 before his Lordshipps: Justices thereunto assigned and Authorised: Mr: William Stevens, Mr: John Winder, present Mr: Henry Smith,  Mr: George Johnson,  Commrs: Mr: James Jones, Capta: Wm: Colebourne:  […]
Benjamin Cotman plt: vers in an Accon of Detaine John Avery Deft: The plt: & deft: appeare in Cort: The plt: by his Attorney Wm: Tompson desires that  their Declaracon may be read, vizt, John Avery late of this County (Somerset) was Attached to answer  Benjamin Cottman in an accon of deteaine &c.  And whereupon the said Benjamin Cottman by William Tompson his Attorney saith That he the said John Avery by violence  keepeth and Detaineth A man Servant from him the said Benj  Cottman whose name is William Gosse being assigned over from Edward Saunders the assignee of Peter Knight the assignee of Thomas Chettwood the assignee of Simon Richardson, The said  Simon Richardson and William Gosse having drawne Articles  of Agreement betweene them (which is produced by the plt:  here in Cort: bearing Date the 20th: November Anno Domini  one Thousand Six hundred and Seaventy which Articles of  Agreement wittnesseth That the said William Gosse bound himselfe to the said Richardson from the Day of the Date of  the said writing untill Christmas next Come twelve month to serve the said Richardson or his assignes in such service  as the said Richardson or his assignes Shoulld imploy him  in, The plaintiffe saith that John Avery having the said servant; he the said plt: Benjamin Cottman demanded the said  servant of him the said Avery But he the said John Avery Denied to Deliver him and Still Doth the plt: saith by his  Attorney Attorney he is Dampnified and hath Damage to the vallue  of three Thousand pounds of tobacco And thereupon brings  his Sute &c. ~

Articles of Agreemt: betweene Simon Richardson of the one part  And William Gosse (Goose) of the other party wittnes that the afore-  named William Gosse Doth firmly binde himselfe to serve to and with the said Symon Richardson or his assignes from the Day of the Date hereof till Christmas next Come twelve month in Such service and imployment as the said Richardson  or his assignes Shall imploy him and in Consideracon of this service I the said Richardson doe binde my Selfe and my  assignes to find him meat drinke washing and mending his Clothes Duering the said time and at the end of the said time to paye or Cause to be paid unto the said William one  Thousand pounds of tobacco and his County Levys wittnes  our hands and Seales:  Novembr: 1670 William Gosse, Symon Richardson; Wittnes: John Richardson, George Hardiss

These ffoll assignemts: were to y articles of agreemt:  I Doe assigne over all my right and Interest of this  Condicon within mentioned unto Thomas Chetwood (Chetwode) as wittnes  my hand this 27th: day of ffebr: 1670/71 Symon Richardson  teste: Miles Goreham, John Richardson

John Richardson sworne in Cort: saith he did see Simon Richardson putt to his hand to the abovesaid assignemt: as  also to the Articles of Agreemt: And William Gosse only to y Articles of Agreemt 13th: March 1671

I Doe assigne over all right and title of this Condicon within  mentioned unto mr: Peter Knight or to his assignes as wittnes  my hand this 29th: day of December 1671, Thomas Chetwood, wittnes: Richard Man,  Elizabeth Chetewode

I Peter Knight Doe assigne over all my right and title of the within mentioned Condicon unto Capta: Edward Sanders or his assignes as wittnes my hand this 29th: of December 1671 Peter Knight, witness: Samuell Auckland, James Lucker

I Edward Sanders Doe assigne over all my right title & Interest  of the within mentioned Condicon unto my Sonne in Law  Benjamin Cottman and his assignes as wittnes my hand  this 29th: December 1671, Testatur pr Edward Sanders Wit: Andrew Pettigrew, Joell Fitseugh (ffitseugh)

The Deft: pleades and saith that no bussnes Shoulld be brought Into this province as wittnes but by the Seale attested The deft: produceth A letter of Attorney  wch: he desires may be read saying that he had the sd:  Gosse of Allexander Moliston:

Know All men by these presents that I Allexander Moulston  of the whore kill (?) upon Delaware bay gent: Doe for Divers  Consideracons me thereunto moveing Doe Constitute and  appointe John Avery of Somersett County in the Province  of Maryland my true and Lawfull Attorney for me and in my name to take into his Custody one Servant belonging to the said Moleston And the said Avery to order him as he  Shall thinke fitt, And what my said Attorney Shall doe Shall be in as full force and vertue as if I my Selfe were personally present as wittnes my hand and Seale this 27th: day  of September 1671, Testes: Sander Moleston, Wit: Robert Cattlin, William Walston

The Deft: Desires that The Deposicon of William Rainbow may be read:

The Deposicon of William Rainbow aged forty years or thereabouts saith That he the said Rainbow bought in March last A Servant  of Symon Richardson of Little Wiccocomoco in Virginia  whose name was William Gosse for all Service due to  him and afterwards by the knowledge and Consent of Simon Richardson hired the said Gosse for one Compleate year for six hundred pounds of tobacco Simon Richardson drawing the Condicon writt one thousand pounds of tobacco & Caske  Contrary to our agreemt: and After wee Came to ye Horekills he hired himselfe to one Alexander Mordsdon there an (Johnsiter?)  before whome I delivered him in his Condicon made to me  as wittnes my hand, William Rainbow; sworne before me the 27th: Janr: 1671, Henry Smith

The Cort: upon mature Deliberacon doe fine that William Gosse doth belong to Benjamin Cottman And ordrs: that John Avery deliver the said servant Wm: Gosse to his master  Benjamin Cottman  (Maryland State Archive, Somerset County Judicial Records, 1671-1675, Volume 87, pp. 96-98)

1671 – May 12 – UK Wiltshire – Ox Alum – George Knight – Son of Francis Knight of Stopp, Wilts, pleb. St Edmund Hall, matric. 12 May 1671, aged 20; B.A. 19 Jan 1674-75. (Oxford University Alumni 1500-1880, p. 861)

1671 – Jun 7 – UK Northamptonshire Chacombe – Will – Michael Knight – Daughters Alice, Emma, Magdalen, Mary, Elizabeth; estate is divided up among them and includes lands and goods; the image is very bad and the part that is readable is difficult to decipher. (Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1660-1673, Piece 336: Duke, Quire Numbers 54-101 (1671))

1671 – Jun 7 – UK Dorsetshire Loders – Ox Alum – John Knight – s/o John Knight of Loders, Dorset, pleb. Brasenose Coll., matric. 7 June 1671, aged 17; brother of Henry Knight 1682, and of Phillip Knight 1674.  (Oxford University Alumni 1500-1886, pp. 861-863)

1671 – Jun 19 – UK Dorsetshire Purse Caundle – Will – William Knight, Yeoman – To Mary of Clare, 40 pounds; to sister’s 3 children, 10 pounds; to brother John Knight, 10 pounds; rest of goods to Francis Knight who is to be executor; small bequests to friends. (Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1660-1673, Piece 336: Duke, Quire Numbers 54-101 (1671))

1671 – Aug 23 – UK Wiltshire Codford St Mary – Bur – Honor Knight – w/o John Knight. (London Met Arch)

1671 - Sep 20 - VA Northumberland – Admin – Peter Knight - Court: Whereas it appears to this Cort yt Mr. Peter Knight stands indebted unto William Shores (Shoares), who married ye Relicte of George Knott, ye summe of six hundred pounds of tobacco & caske, Judgmt. is granted ye sd. Wm. Shoares agt ye sd Mr. Knight for ye sd summe wth costs. (Sparacio NCOBA 1669-1673 p. 45)

1671 – Oct 9 – UK Berkshire Reading – Will – Francis Knight, Bellfounder – To Mary, my now wife, ½ of household goods; he has already settled an estate on her with the interest on 100 pounds per year (6 pounds), and 20 pounds a year from the estate; , he now adds 6 pounds a year to that out of another property; to “godly ministers” Mr Sefurbod , Mr Hunt and Mr Westmoreland, 5 pounds a year for their ministry; to Frances, daughter of Thomas Frome, deceased, 5 pounds; to Frances, widow of Thomas Frome, 20 shillings; residue of estate, all goods and chattels, to son Francis Knight who is to be executor; clothes to Thomas Gooding and John Silverhud and five shillings each, and they to be overseers. ( Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1660-1673, Piece 337: Duke, Quire Numbers 102-158 (1671))

1671 – UK Devonshire Northlew – Chancery – Knight vs Knight - Plaintiffs: Elizabeth Knight.  Defendants: Daniel Knight, Willmott Knight, widow, Margery Knight, John Cliffe and William Penrose.  Subject: property in Northlew, Devon.  Document type: answer only. (National Archives, Kew England, Ref: C 10/164/70 and C 10/164/73 )

1671 – UK Hampshire Winchester – Chancery – Richard Knight - Knight v Cooke.  Plaintiffs: Richard Knight.  Defendants: Joshua Cooke.  Subject: property in Winchester, Hampshire.  Document type: bill, answer.  (National Archives, Kew England, Ref: C 6/196/77)

1672 – Mar 22 – UK Gloucester Bristol – Ox Alum – Thomas Knight – y/s/o John Knight of Bristol city, equitis, Magdalan Hall, matric 22 Mar 1671-2, agd 16; bar.-at-law, Lincoln’s Inn, 1680; his father M.P. Bristol 1660, etc. See Foster’s Judges and Barristers.  (Oxford University Alumni 1500-1886, pp. 861-863)

1672 - Apr 17 - VA Northumberland – Admin – Peter Knight - Court: Whereas it appears to this Cort yt Mr. Peter Knight stands indebted unto Mr. Edward Lappage (Lappidge?) ye summe of five hundred & eleaven pounds of tobacco & caske by Bill dated ye 20th May 1668; Judgmet is therefore granted ye sd. Mr. Lappage agt. ye sd. Mr. Knight for ye sd summe wth. Costs also exe. Unlesse ye next Cort ye sd. Mr. Knight shew reason to ye contrary. (Sparacio NCOBA 1669-1673, p. 62)

1672 – Jun 28 – UK Oxfordshire Banbury – Will – William Knight, Gent – To wife, Mary Knight, lands and tenements in Shoop Street in Banbury, in the occupation of James Fulton, Gent, for her natural life; after wife’s decease, property to go to son, William Knight; also to wife, Mary, annuity of 4 score pounds to be paid out of the income of lands and tenements in Banbury and Calthrope, Northrop, Waltham, in Oxfordshire; wife charged to care for and bring up the 5 younger children on this income; details of the properties and managing the estate; to nephew John Knight, 20 pounds; to youngest son, Bezaleel Knight, 350 pounds at age 22; to youngest daughter, Anne, 350 pounds at age 22; son Bezaleel to be put out as apprentice as soon as he is fit and capable; has already taken care to give portions to three oldest daughters, Elizabeth, Mary and Priscilla, and therefore only gives them 5 shillings apiece; residue of estate to wife, Mary, for her lifetime, and she to be executrix; brother-in-law Vincent Savage of Wroxton, Gent, William Taylor of Williamscot, Gent, Phillip Styles of Banbury, Gent and James Style of Warkworth, Northampton, Gent, to be overseers. Wit: Thomas Sutton, Samuel West and one other. (Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1660-1673, Piece 339: Eure, Quire Numbers 55-107 (1672))

1672 – Jul 10 – UK Worcester Stoke Priors – Ox Alum – William Knight – s/o Richard Knight of Stoke Priors, co. Worcester, pleb. New Inn Hall, matric 10 July 1672, aged 18; father of Henry 1711. (Oxford University Alumni 1500-1886, pp. 861-863)

1672 – Jul 27 – UK London – Will – Francis Knight, Merchant tailor – Estate to be divided into 2 equal parts; one part to be divided among 3 children, Francis Knight, John Knight and Elizabeth Knight; the second part to be disposed of as I choose; having already provided for my son, Francis Knight, I therefore give the second half to be divided between John and Elizabeth; then follows some small bequests to various friends and/or more distant relations. (The text is almost unreadable due to poor image quality.) ( Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1660-1673, Piece 339: Eure, Quire Numbers 55-107 (1672))

1672 – Jul 27 – UK Middlesex St James Clerkenwell – Will – Michael Knight, Brewer – Wishes to be buried next to his father;  400 pounds to be laid out on funeral expenses according to the directions of wife, Mary Knight; lands, tenements, hereditaments in Preston and Wallingford in the county of Berkshire, of the yearly value of 250 pounds, also lands, tenements and hereditaments in Plento in the county of Bedford, yearly value of 60 pounds, and all my lands, tenements in Whitehorse Alley in Cornmill street, in the county of Middlesex, leased to __, all this to go to daughter Elizabeth and heirs of her body lawfully begotten; in default of heirs, all to go to wife, Mary Knight during her life, and then to Cousin Henry Knight, son of my Uncle Michael Knight and heirs of his body, etc; in default of heirs, to go to Cousin Mark Knight, son of said uncle, Michael Knight; in default of heirs, to cousin Michael Knight, son of said uncle, Michael Knight; in default of heirs, to cousin David Knight son of Uncle Thomas Knight, deceased; in default of heirs, to cousin Thomas Knight, son of said uncle Thomas Knight; in default of heirs, to cousin Richard Knight, son of uncle Thomas Knight; in default of heirs, to the right heirs of the said Michael Knight forever on this condition, nevertheless, that my said daughter and every other person and persons to whom my aforesaid lands and tenements shall happen to descend, shall yearly out of the rents and profits of the said lands, etc, pay to my said Uncle Michael Knight, the sum of 20 pounds by quarterly payment;  to daughter Elizabeth Knight, 2000 pounds at 21 or when married; if daughter dies, 1000 of the 2000 pounds to go to the Master Wardens of the Company of Brewers, London, for the purpose of buying land and building ten substantial alms houses for the poor under the management of the churchwardens of the parish of St James Clerkenwell; more details about setting up this charity; the other 1000 pounds to go to set up a school, instructions about this;  more lands to use of wife to then descend to daughter; to wife, 1000 pounds; annuity to wife of 100 pounds; 100 pounds apiece to cousin David Knight, Mr. John Foreman, Mr. Thomas Reed, executors; to sister __ Deering, 20 pieces of gold and to her daughter Johanna, 100 pounds; to Aunt Maynard, 20 pounds, and to her son, Richard, 20 pounds when he completes his apprenticeship;  Aunt Elizabeth Harton, 10 pounds; to cousin Thomas Knight, son of Thomas Knight, 10 pounds; to cousin Richard Knight, son of Thomas, 5 pounds upon his return from sea; to Mary Knight, daughter of Thomas Knight, 10 pounds; to cousin Michael Knight, son of Uncle Michael Knight, 20 pounds to put him forth apprentice, and 20 pounds at the expiration of his apprenticeship; to Mark, Henry, Jane and Susan Knight, children of Uncle Michael Knight, 5 pounds apiece; to nieces Martha and Elizabeth Ratheram, 20 pounds apiece at age 21 or marriage; to the parish of St Bartholomew, 50 pounds; lengthy review of bequests, then: “in case my wife shall be with child at the time of my decease and shall be delivered  of a son then” everything before bequeathed to wife and daughter to go to son, but if it is a daughter, then the inheritance to the first daughter to be divided with the second daughter; cousin David Knight, friends John Freeman and Thomas Reed to be executors; says the handwritten will is 10 sheets long and to be put in keeping of his Uncle, Michael Knight. (Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1660-1673, Piece 339: Eure, Quire Numbers 55-107 (1672))  Note: Obviously, with those conditions, any male child that might be born probably would not live long.

1672 – Aug 9 – UK Surrey Southwark St Olave – Bur – Christopher Knight - (London Met Arch)

1672 - Aug 10 – VA Isle of Wight – Admin - William Knight -  Dying intestate, administration requested by Frances Knight... Rec. Nov. 13, 1672. Security, Captain Arthur Smith, Mr. George Moore. (Chapman 1975, p.69)
 Note: Compare this to the 1645 Oct 1 death of Arthur Smith the elder whose overseer was Peter Knight. Was this the son of Peter Knight of Gloucester? Did he have issue?

1672 – Aug 25 – UK Kent Godmersham – Bur – Katherine Knight - wife of Nicholas Knight, gent. (Tyler)

1672 – Aug 26 – UK Bedfordshire Luton – Will – Henry Knight, Gent – To mother, Elizabeth Harlow, now wife to Richard Harlow, 30 pounds; to brother Thomas Knight, 20 pounds; to sister Elizabeth Caton, wife of John Caton, 20 pounds; to sister Mary Spurford, wife of Richard Spurford, 15 pounds; “to my brother Richard Knight, when he shall return from beyond the sea, 20 pounds with interest” ; to sister Frances Knight, 40 pounds, this to be placed in the hands of brother, David Knight, for the best advantage of sister, Frances until she is 21 or married; to brother David Knight, 5 pounds to buy a mourning ring; residue of estate to wife Elizabeth who is to be executrix; brother David Knight to be overseer. Codicil added: gives 5 pounds more to sister Mary Spurford; to Elizabeth Knight, daughter of brother David Knight, 5 pounds; to Elizabeth Wainwright, Widow, 40 shillings; forgives debt to Aunt Jone of 3 pounds.  (Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1660-1673, Piece 339: Eure, Quire Numbers 55-107 (1672))

1672 – Sep 13 – UK Wiltshire Codford St Mary – Bur – Anne Knight – d/o Henry Knight and Anne. (London Met Arch)

1672 - Oct 1UK London / VA Northumberland – Admin – Peter Knight - Deposition taken in London in the case of Samuel Auckland and Peter Knight of Virginia. Samuel Auckland of Bexley, Kent, yeoman, age 50, deposes that his son Samuel Auckland, now living in Virginia with Mr. Peter Knight, was born in January 1648 and baptized on 28 January 1648/9, according to an entry in the Bexley Parish Register. (Coldham 1980, p. 3) Note: This is the Samuel Oakland imported by Peter Knight in a patent dated 1671 Feb 21 and most likely the Samuel “Ortland” mentioned in the court 1668 Nov 5, 3 years before the mentioned patent was granted. The only explanation I can think of for that 1668 entry would be that Auckland didn’t want to serve and was claiming to be under age. That may be why an inquiry was sent to England to determine his actual age. Notice also that Auckland acted as a witness in the affidavit produced in the MD court (above) regarding the case of William Goss, which Goss lost. The plot thickens further on; something was going on in the background and we do not have all the records.

1672 - Dec 15 VA Gloucester – Admin - Mr. Richard Dudley - Land patent for 944 acs. On brs. Of Porpotancke Cr… along Mr. Peter Knight, to Spence’s line… trans. Of 11 pers. incl Nicholas Moore, John Basse. (Nugent II, p. 122)
Note: I've included this because it is another of the earliest mentions of any Basse family members other than Nathaniel Basse who died without issue. The Basses were definitely associated with the Hawleys, Knights, Carters, Moores, etc

1672 – UK Norfolk – Chancery – John Knight - Corrance v Clayton.  Plaintiffs: John Corrance, Nicholas Hare and Edward Barber.  Defendants: Dame Mary Clayton widow, Sir John Clayton kt, Charles Cornwallis, Thomas Yale, John Knight and Robert Paston Viscount Yarmouth.  Subject: manors of Runham, Flegghall, Maultby, and Lyng, Norfolk.  Document type: bill, three answers. (National Archives, Kew England, Ref: C 6/80/75)

1672 – UK Lincolnshire – Chancery – Knight vs Glissen etc - Plaintiffs: George Knight, Robert Knight, Isaac Knight, Christopher Palmer, Dorothy Palmer his wife and Perces Knight.  Defendants: Paul Glissen, Michael Clipsham and William Knight.  Subject: manor of Bayhall, Lincolnshire.  Document type: bill, answer. (National Archives, Kew England, Ref: C 6/204/37)  Note: There was a Bayhall Manor in Pembury, Kent, but I have found nothing on such a place in Lincolnshire. Perhaps that was the residence of some of the litigants?

1673 – Feb 12 – UK Berkshire Tilehurst – Admin - Nathan Knight - Deed relating to Compton and Tilehurst, Berkshire: Settlement between Thomas Cressey of St. Andrew's, Holborne [Holborn], co. Middlesex, esquire, Thomas Parkyns of Bunney, Nottinghamshire, esquire, and Anne his wife, the only daughter of Thomas Cressey, Nathan Knight of Lincoln's Inn, Middlesex, esquire, son and heir of Walter Knight, late of Reading, Berkshire, gent., and Edward Rockall of Rushcombe [Ruscombe], Berkshire, gent., and Thomas Holt and William Leake, both of Grave's Inn, Middlesex: settlement follows Bill of Complaint in Court of Chancery made by Right Honble. Henry, now Earl of Sterling [Stirling], son and heir of Mary, Countess of Sterling, Sir Robert Croke, Knight, and Dame Susan his wife, Henry Zinzan, alias Alexander, and Jacoba his wife, against Thomas Levingston, esquire, and Anne his wife, John Vandebende, Abraham Vandebende, Thomas Cressey, Thomas Parkyns and Anne his wife, Walter Knight and several others, to have a division made of the manors, messuages and lands in Berks., the inheritance of Sir Peter Vanloer of Tilehurst, Mary, Susan and Jacoba being the daughters and coheirs of Sir Peter and following the appointment of a Commission to make a division of all the messuages and lands, excepting Benham Farm and other lands settled on Maurice Vanloer. Division to be as follows:- manor of East Compton, advowson of vicarage of church in East Compton, copyhold messuages and cottages in Compton and 3 copyhold messuages belonging to Manor of Tilehurst to be held by Thomas Cressey, and Thomas Parkyns and their heirs; copyhold messuages in Tilehurst, Brockdowne Coppice, Combe Park Coppice and Quary Coppice, Woodroffe's Farm and messuages in Compton and Tilehurst to be held by Edward Rockall, subject to certain conditions specified in the settlement. (Nottingham University Library, Department of Manuscripts and Special Collections, Ref: Pa D 117)

1673 - Feb 18 – VA New Kent – Admin - William Hernden – Land patent for 430 acs. N. side Mattopony Riv. … for Trans. Of 9 pers: Incl. William Hawley. (Nugent II, p. 143)

1673 - Feb 20 - VA Northumberland – Admin – Peter Knight - Court: Peter Knight acts as atty for Col. Cudbert Potter to recover 1277 pounds of tobacco (Sparacio NCOBA 1669-1673, p. 78)

1673 – Feb 20 – UK Norfolk Norwich / Barbados – Will – John Knight Esq –  The will was probated in England 1686 Feb 15 Norfolk Norwich. Does not give his name or location at the beginning of the will, nor any religious presentations, just launches directly into the need to dispose of his estate and to “prevent all doubts and controversies”; to father and mother John and Jane Knights, during their lives, all lands, tenements, with all rents and profits, etc, in the town of Goodall Barningham, in the county of Norfolk; after their decease, to brother Benjamin; to father and mother, one third part of the yearly net and profit of my plantation in this island, commonly called Bulls Gubbins; to mother, Jane, 100 pounds; to brother Richard, 50 pounds; to sister Mary Woodyard, 20 pounds sterling a year for her natural life; my executor to take care to bind out her male children to good and commendable trades; to 3 sisters, Jane, Sarah and Elizabeth, 200 pounds sterling each to be paid 50 pounds a year to each until they each receive 200 pounds; to the poor of the city of Norwich, 20 pounds sterling to be disposed of by father; to brother Thomas Knights, 200 pounds sterling;  to Mrs. Sarah Codwington, a piece of plate of 10 pounds sterling; to Mr. Nicholas Poynter Sr of Norwich, 20 pounds sterling; to Mr. William Stuart, 6 pounds; to Mr Robert Cory, 6 pounds; to Mr. Gray Tainey, Weaver in Norfolk, 5 pounds; to John Braithwaite, 6 pounds; brother Benjamin Knights whole, sole executor and residuary legatee of entire estate “in this island” or elsewhere; John Sparke, William Sharpe, William Bate, John Hallett, and Richard Parker to be overseers of the will and to receive 5 pounds apiece;  Wit: Richard Lawford, Thomas Jenner, John Hooker, Gregory Hallett, Charles Wolseley. ***“Sir Richard Lawford and Captain Gregory Hallett appeared before me and made oath that they did see John Knights Esq signe, seale and publish the above written as his last will and testament and that he was at the doing thereof of sound and disposing memory to the best of the deponents judgment.  Given under my hand. (Signed) P. Colleton. -  (Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1674-1687, Piece 386: Foot, Quire Numbers 1-44 (1687))

1673 – Mar 14 – UK Devonshire Membury – Ox Alum – John Knight – s/o John of Membury, Devon, pleb. Exeter Coll, matric. 14 March 1672/3, aged 17; B.A. 1676, vicar of Aylisbear, Devon, 1681. See Foster’s Index Eccl. (Oxford University Alumni 1500-1886, pp. 861-863)

1673 - Mar 18 VA Northumberland – Admin – Peter Knight - Court : Whereas it appears to the Court yt Samuel Auckland (Ockland, Oakland) servt to Capt Peter Knight, did beat & abuse his master, It is ordered yt ye said Ockland make his sd master satisfaction for his said default according to Law. (Haynie, p. 617, OB 1666-78)
Note:This is the first time that Peter Knight of Northumberland is referred to as “Capt.” in the surviving Northumberland records though clearly his various roles in the colony would have entitled him to the rank much earlier. What is shocking is the fact that Capt. Peter was, apparently, beaten by his servant. He is, at this point, 53 years old, has seen many adventures as a "fire breathing Puritan", and now this indignity!

1673 - Mar 19 VA Northumberland – Admin – Peter Knight - Court: Capt. Peter Knight being arrested to this Cort. at ye suite of Mr. John Saffin & ye said Saffin fayling to fyle his Declaracon, a non suite is granted ye sd. Knight agt. ye sd. Saffin according to Law wth. costs. (Sparacio, 1666-1678, p. 81)

1673 – Apr 12 – UK Sussex Rudgwick – Will – John Knight, Yeoman – To the poor of the parish, 20 shillings; lands, houses, chattels, etc, to brother, Henry Knight for his life, and after his decease, to go to Henry’s son, John Knight and his heirs; in default of heirs of John Knight, to go to Henry’s daughter Jane Knight; to sister Mary Cowper, wife of Thomas Cowper, 20 shillings; to Mary, Ann and John Cowper, 40 shillings apiece at 21; to sister Alice Eager, 30 pounds to be paid to her as she needs it, 20 or 30 shillings at a time; to Thomas and Henry Eager, 10 shillings apiece at 21; sister Alice Eager to have rooms in my house called Hitchcroft (?) and some of the apples and pears from my orchards and liberty of fetching water, all such time as she shall remain a widow; to brother (in-law) Thomas Cowper, 5 shillings; to sister Eager, my bed with all its furnishings; residue of estate to brother, Henry Knight who is sole executor. (Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1660-1673, Piece 341: Pye, Quire Numbers 1-52 (1673))

1673 – Jun 9 – UK London St Giles Cripplegate – Camb Alum – Peter Knight - Adm. pens. at EMMANUEL, June 9, 1673. Of Middlesex. Matric. 1674. Adm. at the Inner Temple, Jan. 22, 1673-4. Of St Giles', Cripplegate, gent.

1673 - Jun 10 VA Surry – Admin - Tithables list - Selected: Lt. Col. George Jordan, Arthur Jordan, Robert Lee, Doctor Knight (Nathaniel Knight), Thomas Clark, John Taylor, Robert Cartwright, George Lee, Thomas Grey, John Grey, Francis Grey, William Rose, Thomas Ironmonger, John Ironmonger, David Andrews, John Watkins, Henry Watkins, Francis Merriwether, Mr. Meriwether, Thomas Andrews, Matthew Marriott, Capt Corker, William Clay, Capt. Lawrence Baker, William Butler, John Phillips, Sion Hill, Richard Jordan, Capt. Baker, John Gregory, Robert Lancaster, Robert Giles, Mathew Swann, William Hancock. (VA. Gen. Soc. Qrtly. Vol. 22. No. 2)

1673 – Oct 8 – UK Dorsetshire Weymouth – Admin – John Knight - Folio 261: George Pley, snr, Weymouth. He has just received an invitation to tender for French cloth and will reply by the next post. Reminds Lord Brunckard of money outstanding to John Knight for pressing seamen. Enclosed in f 157. (National Archives, Kew England, Ref: ADM 106/289/261)

1673 - Oct 23 VA Gloucester – Admin - Guy Knight – Land patent for 423 acs.,  on Milford Haven & the W. branch. nere head of a br. parting this & land of Abraham English, dec’d, … to Thomas Putnam’s land & John Shaple’s land &c. Trans: George Anderson. (Nugent II, p. 133; Mason 1946, p. 44)

1673 - Oct 27 VA Henrico – Admin - Major Francis Epes – Land patent for 927 acs No. side of Appomattock Riv., on Swift Cr. Trans of 20 pers. (Nugent II, p. 134)

1673 - Oct 27 – VA Accomack – Admin - William Kendall & Mary Kendall - Sonn & dau. to William Kendall, 6000 acs. … land first sold by David Williamson to William Kendall, found to be deserted by sd. Williamson,  & on petition of sd. Kendall, granted by order to sd. Wm & Mary 18 Apr. 1670. Trans. Of 120 pers: The list includes a handful of names of persons known to already have patents or to be well-connected; even includes the interesting name: “Corn. Wallis”.  Also includes John Knight, Henry Hawley and Mary Ligon. (Nugent II, pp. 134-135)

Note: An Elizabeth Kendall, pos. descended from this William, married Peter Knight (1758-1840), the son of Peter Knight (1735-1811) and Rachel Abbott. This latter Peter was the gr. grandson of Capt. Peter Knight through his son Leonard.

1673 – Nov 5 - UK Dorsetshire Weymouth – Admin – John Knight - Folio 257: George Pley snr, Weymouth. Receipt of answer to his proposal to supply French cloth. He understands that it may be bought more cheaply in London, but he will supply the best quality. Asks the Board to indicate the maximum they are prepared to pay for each sort of cloth. Asks Lord Brunckard to pay his bills for John Knight which he spent pressing seamen.  (National Archives, Kew England, Ref: ADM 106/289/257)

1673 – Nov 11 – MD Somerset County – Admin - Peter Knight – Court; Justices present: Mr. William Stevens, Mr David Browne, Mr. James Jones, Mr. Nicholas Rice, Mr. George Johnson, Mr. James Dashiell, Comm. Mr. John Winder, Mr. Edward Smith;  Isaac Hudson, plntf vers Richard Stevens; The plt: & deft: appeares in Cort: & Joynes issue:  The plt: sues for his freedome by peticon wch: is read vizt  To the worspll: Commrs: for Sommersett County  The humble peticon of Isaac Hudson  Humbly sheweth That yor: petr: was transported into Virga: into the County of Northumberland in the parrish of ffairefeilds and there at a Court in 1665, helld for the said County the first of May was by the Commrs:  of the said Cort: according to the Lawe of Virginia, adjudged to serve ye full terme of eight yeares as by order of the said Cort:  will be made more plainer appeare which eight yeares is fully Compleated and served by yor: peticionr: to my last master Richard Stevens the first of May last past 1673; but now Soe it is that my last Master Richard Stevens denyeth me my  freedome contrary to Law and Justice to the greate Damage and Dettriment of your peticioner, yor: petr: therefore prayes that order of Cort: be granted to your peticioner for his freedome  and satisfaccon for his time which he hath Served over and above this Just time which is five months and A halfe As alsoe his Corne and Clothes as alsoe all such nessessarries as  the Law of this our good province doth affoard to servants in such Cases doth allowe to servants at the time of theire  ffreedome and yor: peticionr: as in duty bound Shall pray  The plt: produceth this ffollowing order wch: is read 

At A Cort: helld the first of May in the 17th: yeare  of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord Charles y 2d:  by the grace of God of greate Brittaine ffrance and  Ireland King &c Annoq Domini 1665: Col: Peter Ashton,  Capta: William Nutt, present, Mr. Peter Knight, Mr Isaac Allerton, Mr. William Presley, Justices:  Isaac Hudson servant to Mr. Thomas Hopkins is Judged by this Cort: to be sixteene yeares of age and to Serve his said master According to Act (vizt) until he be twenty ffoure yeares of age. Overa Copia Test Thomas Hobson Cler Cur pr Sichae.

This Cort: upon Serious Deliberacon Doe order the said Isaac Hudson to be ffree and that his Late master Richard Stevens pay him Corne and Clothes According to Act of Assembly As alsoe to pay the said Isaac Hudson Three hundred pounds of tobacco ffor Over plus of service to Richard Stevens.  (Maryland State Archive, Somerset County Judicial Records, 1671-1675, Volume 87, pp. 273-274)

1673 – Nov 26 – UK Somerset Frome – Will – Robert Knight, Yeoman – To son, Robert Knight, chattel tenement called Shermarsh during his natural life and not longer on condition that he pay annually to three daughters Eleanor (Elianor), Elizabeth and Anne 40 shillings, being 6 pounds a year (must mean 40 shillings each); to son Stephen Knight, that part of the other chattel at Shermarsh called the upper __ copier for and during his life and after his decease I give the said premises to son John Knight who has his fief therein; to son John Knight, the loser copier being part of the aforesaid chattel during his life and after his decease I give same to Stephen Knight, my son who has his fief therein; to John Knight and Stephen Knight, I give my tenement called Shermarsh after the decease of Robert Knight, my son for and during the life of my daughter Elizabeth who has her fief (fyfe) therein upon condition that they pay yearly to Elizabeth 5 pounds during her life, and also to pay to Anne, my daughter, 40 shillings; to daughter Elizabeth, 30 pounds; to daughter Anne, 10 pounds; to daughter Joane 10 shillings; to daughter Eleanor 10 shillings; to Joane Tanner, grandchild, 40 shillings at 21; if grandchild Joan dies, her legacy to be given to daughter Elizabeth; to daughter Anne, wife of Richard Williams, my tenement in Frome, the land of John Cetwood, Gent, on condition that Anne and her children may enjoy same and in case her said husband, Richard Williams shall by any means endeavor to sell or deprive my daughter and her children of the benefits thereof, my will is that the said tenement shall remain to my executors who I desire to be careful therein; I do require that my executors not pull down or demolish any outhouses built on posts standing at the time of my decease on any part of my tenement called Shermarsh; John Knight and Stephen Knight to be executors; Wit: Richard Carpenter, Stephen Tanner, Robert Knight JR, his mark. ( Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1660-1673, Piece 343: Pye, Quire Numbers 119-167 (1673))

1673 – Nov 27 – UK Somerset Broadway – Will – John Knight, Gent – To the poor of the parish, 20 shillings; to John Starke and Robert Fort, all clothing both linen and wool to be equally divided and 10 shillings apiece; to two servants, John Bright and John P__, 3 shillings apiece; to son Richard Knight, all lands in Somerset conditional on him paying 10 pounds a year rent to wife, Anne, for her natural life, provided that the said wife does not remarry; wife also has rights to income or benefits of the estate; also, Richard, the son, must pay to Anne Knight, sister, 20 pounds; profits off of certain other lands to go to wife and after her decease, to son Robert Knight; more estates to son Richard; to son Richard, a great silver bowl that was his grandfather’s; to son John Knight, 20 pounds; another estate profits to go to wife during her widowhood, and after her decease to son Joseph Knight and 20 pounds out of it to daughter Anne Knight by Joseph; to Joseph Knight 100 pounds; to wife, house “I now live” during her widowhood and after her decease (or remarriage), house to go to son Robert Knight; son Robert to receive real estate left to him by his grandfather;  to Robert Knight, 100 pounds and numerous items, a cloak, and household stuff;  to daughter Marian Butt, 20 pounds and a silver goblet; to daughter Anne Knight, 200 pounds and all goods of house “wherein I now live” after decease of wife (or if she remarries); to grandson, John Knight, a piece of land and 5 pounds when 21; to grandson John Butt, 5 pounds when 21; to all other grandchildren, 40 shillings at age 21; all silver spoons that are children’s with their names on them shall be given to each of them after wife’s decease or widowhood; residue of estate to wife, Anne Knight who is executrix; brother Simon Knight to be overseer. (Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1660-1673, Piece 343: Pye, Quire Numbers 119-167 (1673))

1673 - Dec 15 – VA New Kent – Admin - John Dorwood – Land patent for 380 acs., upon brs. of Tassatiumps Cr… Trans. Of 8 pers: Henry Hawley (Hawly)… (Nugent II, p. 144)

1673 - Dec VA Surry – Info – Tax Protest - The inhabitants of Surry Co met at Lawnes Creek Parish Church (the first church erected on Hogg Island in 1628), to protest a levy which they felt unjust.  Mathew Swann was considered to be the ringleader. The Surry County Court fined the “mutinous persons” but Gov. Berkeley cancelled the fines on condition that the rebels acknowledge their wrongdoing. (VA Gen. Soc. Qrtly. Vol. 22, No. 3, pp. 55-56)

1673 – UK Devonshire – Admin – John Knight - North Devon Record Office: John Knight bound as putative father to maintain Margaret, base daughter of Elizabeth Sammacott alias Viccary,  (North Devon Record Office (South West Heritage Trust), Ref: 814A/PO 1471)

1674 - Apr 7 – VA New Kent – Admin - Charles Hawley (Hawly) – Land patent for  250 acs., on brs. of Tassantium Sw., on N.E. side of Matapanie Riv., adj. John Dorwood; by a path that goeth to the Flaxmans; Trans. Of 5 pers. (Nugent II, p. 145)
Note: Mr. Jno. Lewis Junr. Patent 1683 Sep 20 notes that this patent for 250 acs was “granted to Charles Hawley 7 Apr. 1674 & which he dyed seized of: escheated by inquisition under William Leigh”… (Nugent II, p. 268)

1674 - Apr 8 - VA Gloucester – Admin - Samuel Clarke (Clerke) - Land patent for 700 acs…. E. side Poropotanck Cr. & maine Sw… Granted Mr. Peter Knight, dec’d., 25. Aug. 1652 & due sd. Clerke as heire & next of Kinne. (Nugent II, p. 147)  Note: Obviously, this announces the Death of Peter Knight, Merchant of Gloucester.  Notice that James Clarke and Samuel Clarke were listed as headrights for this very same patent in 1652, 22 years previously; they were probably brothers and Samuel must have married the daughter or widow of Peter Knight SR in order to be his "next of kin". I can think of no other way that claim could be made. It also puts a period to any notion that this Peter Knight had a son - or at least one who survived to inherit.

1674 - Apr 8  – VA Rappahannock – Admin – Mr. Richard Whitehead - Land patent for 2000 acs … on W. side Portobago Path; trans of ___ pers: incl: Maj. Robert Bristowe twice, Phillip White, Thomas Wright, John Hawley (Jno. Halley), William Bell, John Paramore, John Wilkinson, Marmaduke Moore (More), Richard Knight, Robert Goffe, Ann Walker, etc. (Nugent II, p. 146)
Note: Is this Richard a son of John Knight of Northumberland? Recall that John Knight was associated with James Hawley in a court case so it would be likely for their sons to hire themselves out as headrights together, or go as apprentices/servants together. And that's not to say that a good number on the list were not new imports!
Regarding the Robert Goffe: there was a family of Knights in England with strong Gough/Goffe/Goff connections and that family included a Richard Knight, grocer (d. 1615), Christopher (d. 1626), Leonard (d. 1626) and Anne Knight Gough, his children. Leonard's children were Richard, Susan and Sarah. This Leonard inherited land at Sutton at Hone, Kent, from a Richard Bland. At Sutton at Hone, there was a John Knight (d. 1610) who had children: Thomas Knight, John Knight, Henry Knight, Gabriel Knight, Anne, Frances, Elizabeth and wife Ursula.

1674 - Apr 9 – VA Gloucester – Admin - Capt. Richard Dudley - Land patent for 980 acs. … upon brs. of Poroptanck Cr… adj. Mr. Pate; land of John Greene, dec’d., Mr. Peter Knight, dec’d, now Samuell Clarke’s… (Nugent II, p. 147)

1674 – May 27 – UK Lincolnshire – Camb Alum – Richard Knight - Adm. sizar at EMMANUEL, May 27, 1674. Of Lincolnshire. Matric. 1674; B.A. 1677-8; M.A. 1681. Probably ord. priest (Lincoln) Dec. 20, 1690.

1674 – Jun 5 – UK Berkshire Westwood – Will – Mary Knight – “I, Mary Knight, daughter of Thomas Knight of Westwood, Yeoman…” to brother, Thomas Knight, 10 shillings; to his 5 children, Thomas, Blunt, William, Dorothy, and Anne, 5 shillings apiece; to brother Robert Knight, 40 shillings; to his son, Robert Knight, 10 shillings; to his 3 other children, Sarah, Mary and Judith, 5 shillings apiece; to brother John Knight, 30 shillings; to his daughter Anne, 5 shillings; to his son, John, 5 shillings and items; to his son, James, 10 shillings; to his son William 5 shillings; to his daughter Elizabeth, 5 shillings; to brother William Knight, 40 shillings; to cousin Thomas Knight, 10 shillings; to goddaughter Mary ___ five shillings; to brother-in-law John Buston, 20 shillings; residue of estate to sister Anne Buston who is to be executrix; brother John Knight and cousin John Taylor to be overseers. (Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1674-1687, Piece 345: Bunce, Quire Numbers 54-103 (1674))

1674 - Jun 10 VA Surry – Admin - Tithables list - Selected:  Jeremiah Ellis, Thomas Clarke, Arthur Jordan, Tom Cotton, Abraham Evans, Robert Lee, Doctor Knight (Nathaniel Knight), Richard Greene, Nicholas Meriwether, Francis Meriwether, James Nicholson, John Grey, Thomas Grey, Francis Grey, Daniel Regan, Matthew Marriott, John Phillips, John Clements, Capt. Corker, Roger Williams, George Williams, Thomas Ironmonger, John Ironmonger, David Anderson JR & SR, William Rose, Henry Clarke, William Newsome, John Clarke JR, Lewis Williams, Mrs. E Watkins, John Phillips, William Hancock, John Gregory, Thomas Waller, Lawrence Baker, Henry Baker, John Baker, William Butler, Sion Hill, Henry Gray, John Gray, Walter Taylor, John Kindred, John Clarke, Anthony Evans, Richard Jordan. (VA. Gen. Soc. Qrtly. Vol. 22. No. 2)

1675 - Jun 10 VA Surry – Admin - Tithables list - Selected:  Jeremiah Ellis, Thomas Clarke, Arthur Jordan, Tom Cotton, Abraham Evans, Robert Lee, Doctor Knight (Nathaniel Knight), Richard Greene, Nicholas Meriwether, Francis Meriwether, James Nicholson, John Grey, Thomas Grey, Francis Grey, Daniel Regan, Matthew Marriott, John Phillips, John Clements, Capt. Corker, Roger Williams, George Williams, Thomas Ironmonger, John Ironmonger, David Anderson JR & SR, William Rose, Henry Clarke, William Newsome, John Clarke JR, Lewis Williams, Mrs. E Watkins, John Phillips, William Hancock, John Gregory, Thomas Waller, Lawrence Baker, Henry Baker, John Baker, William Butler, Sion Hill, Henry Gray, John Gray, Walter Taylor, John Kindred, John Clarke, Anthony Evans, Richard Jordan. (VA. Gen. Soc. Qrtly. Vol. 22. No. 2) Lt. Col. George Jordan, Robert Lee, Arthur Jordan, Nathaniel Knight, Robert Cartwright, Richard Greene, John Talor, Jeremiah Ellis, Goerge Lee, James Watkins, Thomas Clarke, Richard Parker, Abraham Evans, Henry Watkins, Thomas Ironmonger, John Ironmonger, Thomas Grey, Francis Grey, Matthew Marriott, John Grey, Cotton Robinson, William Rose, Col. Thomas Swann, David Andrews SR & JR, George Williams, Roger Williams, Lawrence Mizell, Walter Vaughan, Francis Meriwether, John Phillips, Daniel Regan, John Watkins, William Phillips, John Clements, Samuel Mathews, John Greene, Nicholas Meriwether,  Walter Taylor, William Gray, Henry Gray, John Gray, Thomas Waller, William Butler, Sion Hill, Joseph Flood, Lawrence Baker, Henry Baker, Leonard Bennett, Anthony Evans, Richard Jordan, Rice Owens, James Murray, Robert Parker, Robert Lancaster, John Gregory, William Newsome, David Williams, Henry Hollingsworth, Charles Cone, John Carver. (VA. Gen. Soc. Qrtly. Vol. 22. No. 2)

1674 – Jul 7 – UK Ireland Dublin – Will – William Knight, Esq – Everything to wife, Elizabeth, during her natural life, and after her decease, to nephew, Knight Clifford, son of sister (obviously married to someone named Clifford); wife also to receive the rent of adjoining house, to go to nephew after her decease; two houses in Galway which will go to nephew after death of wife, she to receive rents from same during her life; additional lands and leases discussed, but at this point, the image deteriorates completely and it is almost totally unreadable; a niece married to a Joshua Parkinson, Merchant, she is to get 100 pounds; nephews John Clifford and Robert Clifford, nieces Susan Clifford and Joane Clifford, 100 pounds apiece; bequests to goddaughter and apprentice; charges his nephew to take good care of his wife and to see that she wants for nothing; to niece Anne Rawlinson, widow, cloth to make gowns; cousin Brugh Tarhwell and Ann his wife, items; gift to the minister who will preach his funeral; he leaves ready money in his house in the amount of 800 pounds besides 2000 pounds somewhere else, 200 pounds in a cabinet in his study, 400 pounds in a cupboard behind the bed; list of money owed to him; money left after bequests, funeral, debts, to be put out to interest; instructions about that; after wife’s decease, interest to be divided among his 5 nephews and nieces; money owed to him from Lieutenant Marshall, Mr Kew; Thad. Byrne, Colonel Willoughby, Roger Jones, Lieutenant Colonel Little, William Hoye, Esq, list goes on and is extensive.  He must have been lending money out at interest right and left. (Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1674-1687, Piece 345: Bunce, Quire Numbers 54-103 (1674)

1674 – Nov 7 – UK Surrey Mitcham – Will – Francis Knight, Esq – To brother, Sir John Knight of Bristol, Knt, and James Hoste of Grays Inn, Middlesex, gent, trustees of lands, tenement, etc, on Bow Lane in Cheapside, London and now occupied by Mr. William Withers, to be held for and during the natural life of my daughter Mary Owen; to collect rents and disburse money to the daughter on her request; after decease of daughter, the trust goes to granddaughter, Mary Owen; to the same Sir John Knight and James Hoste as trustees, another parcel, called “The George” in the city of Bristol, in the possession of William Bush, Mercer, to be in trust for brother Isaac Knight for his natural life, he to receive an annuity of 20 pounds per year which I have formerly by deed charged upon the same house payable to William Durkitt of Wiltshire, Esq, and Richard Bibb late of Bristol, deceased, in trust, and for the life of the said Isaac Knight in performance of the will of my father George Knight, deceased; after the decease of my said brother Isaac Knight, then to pay said sum of 20 pounds per annum to my son John Knight, for and during the natural life of my daughter, Mary Owen; at the end of the trusts, estate to son John Knight and his heirs; To grandchild Mary Owen, 500 pounds, to be paid by my brother, Sir John Knight; this money shall be put by them to interest to the Company of Fishmongers, London, of which I was a member, until granddaughter is 18 at which time the whole amount goes to her; if granddaughter dies, 250 pounds may be paid to anyone she chooses, and 250 pounds to go to son, John Knight; to brother Sir John Knight and James Hoste, 50 pounds; to son John Knight, “my mansion house, orchards, gardens, lands, meadows, pastures and appurtenances thereunto belonging lying in Mirsham; in default of heirs, it goes to daughter Mary Owen and her heirs; in default of her heirs, to the son of Sir John Knight and his heirs; forgives son-in-law Charles Owen of debts; 5 pounds to the poor on the day of funeral; 5 pounds to the poor house of Mirsham;  to brother Isaac Knight, 20 pounds; to sister Mary Hosk, 10 pounds; to sister Elizabeth Laford, 10 pounds; to friend Mr. James Hoste, 10 pounds; residue of estate to son John Knight who is to be executor. ( Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1674-1687, Piece 346: Bunce, Quire Numbers 104-150 (1674))

1674 – Nov 23 – UK London Staple Inn – Will – John Knight – Will written in 1665 with a rather longer religious intro than is usual and several mentions of the uncertainty of the times and so forth; to the poor of Hythe in Kent, 5 pounds; to brother William Knight, 10 pounds to buy mourning clothes; to brother William, “my house, barns, Malthouse” with appurtenances, etc in Hythe, Kent for his natural life, and after his decease, to pass to cousin Anne Beane, William’s daughter; to Anne Beane, 50 pounds at 18 or day of marriage; to “brother”, Mr. Robinson Beane, 50 pounds and “my gelding”; to sister Elizabeth Beane, his wife, 50 pounds; to sister Alice Lushington, 5 pounds; to her son, John Lushington, 50 pounds at 21; the same to Mary Lushington, sister to John; to brother John Bedingfield of Dartford, house and land occupied by David Penold, also woodland there, to have during his natural life, and after his decease, this property to pass to sister Elizabeth Beane during her natural life; after her decease, to pass to cousin Anne Beane and her heirs; to brother John Bedingfield, “all my law books and Books of Precedents and also all debts owed to me for lawsuits and 50 pounds; John Bedingfield to be executor and he to receive residue of estate, goods, chattels, etc. Wit: John Binny, Nicholas Nicholson. (Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1674-1687, Piece 346: Bunce, Quire Numbers 104-150 (1674))

1675 - Dec 4 - VA Isle of Wight - Admin - Major Thomas Taberer - Land patent for 400 acs. 23 Apr. 1681 Up. Par. Of Is. Of W. Co., & commonly called Bassetts Choice (Basses Choice), neer mouth of Pagan Cr…. 150 acs. Granted Mr. Peter Knight in 1640 who sold to Mr. John Bland, merchant of London, & by Mr. Giles Bland, his sonn & Atty., conveyed to sd. Taberer 4 Dec. 1675, together with confirmation of the sale & a relinquishment of dower by Mrs. Sarah Bland, wife & Genl. Atty. of sd. John, 6 Oct 1679;… (Nugent I, p. 217; See also: Nugent I, p. 277)

Note: I have placed this record here because it records the date of the original sale of Basses Choice to Thomas Taberer. Note that he will renew his patent in 1681.

John Bland was living and purchasing land in 1647. His widow was granted patent on his land in 1652, where he was noted as being deceased; He could have died as much as 3 years before this time, i.e. 1649. So Peter Knight must have sold this land to him prior to 1652.

Thomas Taberer was a headright of Peter Knight in the same patent, 1652 Aug 25 for land in Gloucester County, where James Clarke and Samuel Clarke appeared, Samuel Clarke then being named as Peter Knight's "heir and next of kin" over 20 years later and acquiring the entire tract of 700 acs. Apparently, at about the same time he patented land in Gloucester, Peter disposed of his Isle of Wight land. All of these points heavily shift the weight of evidence to Peter Knight, Merchant of Gloucester being the pantentee of Basses Choice, if there were any lingering doubts, and that there was no father-son relationship between the two Peters.

Thomas Taberer was most likely the son of John Taberer (d. 1654), Isle of Wight county; son of William Taberer, of the county of Derby, England. (Wm. & M., VII, 221) :

This was probably the Justice "Tabener", at whose house William Edmundson staid in 1672, and whose wife was very loving to the Quakers. Mr. Thomas writes his name "Taberner", but it was really Taberer. His wife was a legatee under the will of Richard Bennett. So was Elizabeth Outland, whom Edmundson visited in 1675 at Chuckatuck, where he held "many precious meetings." (Va. Mag. of Hist. and Biog., III, pp. 53-56 )

This information makes one wonder if Peter Knight of Gloucester VA might possibly have had Quaker sympathies? Or, if he moved away from Isle of Wight because so many Quakers were moving in? In any event, that is the last of the records relating to Peter Knight, Merchant of Gloucester (and nearby) county, VA.

1674 – Dec 18 - UK Oxfordshire Rotherfield Peppard – Will – Thomas Knight, Esq – To be buried in the chancel of the parish church; 10 shillings to the poor; estate to Niece Elizabeth Murphy (?). (Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1674-1687, Piece 346: Bunce, Quire Numbers 104-150 (1674))

1674 – UK Wiltshire Marston Maisey – Chancery – Peter Knight – Knight vs Jenner - Plaintiffs: Peter Knight and Katherine Knight his wife.  Defendants: Robert Jenner and Margery Deacon, widow.  Subject: property in Marston Maisey, Gloucestershire [Wiltshire].  Document type: bill only. (National Archives, Kew England, Ref: C 8/329/68)

1675 – Jan 12 – UK Middlesex St Martin in the Fields – Will – Henry Knight, Mariner – Died in Maryland – Bequests to Ann Meakin and Uncle Robert Day of St Martin in the Fields who is executor. Wit: Robert Tendring, Sarah Tendring, Nicholas (X) Blackman and Thomas Gilbert, scrivener. (Coldham 1992, p. 27

1675 – Jun 5 – UK Kent Westerham – Will – Thomas Knight, Gent – Mentions at the beginning that his son, Richard Knight, is greatly in debt because of the testator, he bequeaths to him the remainder of the lease in Westerham and Lyonsford, formerly leased by Sir Marmaduke Gresham, and also all his other properties in Kent and Surrey, so that son might be able to repay his father’s debts; all other goods and chattels to son Richard; he is urged to provide for his mother, his sisters, Elizabeth and Felix, and his brother, Bostocke Knight. (Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1674-1687, Piece 348: Dycer, Quire Numbers 52-105 (1675)) Note: There is another Bostocke Knight; may be a connection.

1675 – Jun 21 – UK Devonshire Sidbury – Will – William Knight – To brother, Richard Knight, balance of debt owed, plus bonds owed to me; to sister Ellen Dare, rights to fields in the Parish of Burstock, Dorset known by the name of Tilly’o Ground and after her, to her son Thomas;  to brother (in-law) Thomas Dare, all debts owing me, bonds, etc, and he to be executor;  mentions sister (in-law) Hannah, wife of Richard Knight; cousin William Bragy of Sidbury and his wife have free liberty to choose and take any books. (Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1674-1687, Piece 348: Dycer, Quire Numbers 52-105 (1675))

1675 – Dec 7 – UK Southampton East Woodhay – Nunc Will - James Knight, Yeoman – Will made on 19 Sept and “shortly after, he died”; to brother Walter Knight, all goods and chattels and to be executor. Wit: Roger Goddall and one other. (Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1674-1687, Piece 349: Dycer, Quire Numbers 106-147 (1675)

1676 - Apr 19 VA Northumberland – Admin – Peter Knight & Anne Knight - Peter Knight “of Wicco Gent.” sells John Farnefold of Chiccacone parish in Northumberland County, Gent, 300 acres on S Side Wiccomoco Riv adj land of Mr Richard Nutt. To be acknowledged by wife, Anne Knight. Wit: Thomas Hobson, Richard Kenner. On 20 Nov 1679 John Farnefold assigns this land to “my son in Law Richard Nutt Junr”. (Fleet, NC, p. 560)

Note: The last we heard about Peter’s wife, Anne, was in the 1663 Apr 20 entry. As far as the records I have found, this will be the last time we hear anything about her at all. She has certainly lived long enough to be the mother of all four of Peter's known children and he mentions no wife in his will so she must have been dead, by then and he apparently did not remarry. We don't know when she died; it was between this entry and 1702 when his will was written, a span of 26 years.

1676 - May VA Jamestown - Info – Nathaniel Bacon - Governor Sir William Berkeley expels Nathaniel Bacon from the Council and brands him a rebel. Bacon is the leader of militiamen in the upper reaches of the James River valley and is preparing, against the governor's instructions, to attack Indians (friendly or not). (Ency of VA online)

1676 - Jun 10 VA Surry – Admin - Tithables list - Selected: Thomas Clay, James Murry, Henry Holingsworth, Richard Morris, Richard Jordan JR, Lawrence Baker, Joseph Ford, Henry Gray, John Gray, Richard Bennett, Anthony Evans, Mathew Swan, John Kindred, William Anderson, William Hancock, Eleanor Evans, William Newsome, Robert Lancaster, Nathaniel Knight, Richard Greene, Arthur Jordan, James Jordan, George Jordan, Robert Lee, Thomas Flood orphan, Thomas Cotton, Walter Flood, Samuel Alsobrooke, William Knott, George Lee, James Watkins, Edward Greene, Daniel Williams, Hugh Bagby, Abraham Evans, John Flood, Luke Mizell, John Phillips, Henry Baker, Robert Spencer, Walter Vaughan, Roger Williams, Francis Gray, John Gray, Matthew Marriot, Thomas Ironmonger, John Ironmonger & David Andrews, John Clements, Sion Hill, John Smith & Lawrence Mizell, Daniel Regan, Nicholas Meriwether, John Nicholson. (VA Gen. Soc. Qrtly. Vol 22, No. 3)

1676 – Jul 2 – UK Wiltshire Codford St Mary – Bur – Elizabeth Knight – d/o Henry Knight and Anne. (London Met Arch)

1676 Jul 30 VA Jamestown – Info - Bacon’s Rebellion -  On about this day, Nathaniel Bacon issues the first of a series of declarations of grievance and complaint against Governor Sir William Berkeley, together with justifications of his rebellious actions, which he signs as "General, by the consent of the people."

The immediate cause of the rebellion was Governor William Berkeley's refusal to retaliate for a series of Native American attacks on frontier settlements. Historian Peter Thompson argues that Bacon's motivation was a personal vendetta between him and Berkeley. However, Bacon's followers used the rebellion as an effort to gain government recognition of the shared interests among all social classes of the colony in protecting the "commonalty" and advancing its welfare.  A thousand Virginians of all classes and races rose up in arms against Berkeley, attacking Indians, chasing Berkeley from Jamestown, Virginia, and ultimately torching the capital.

The rebellion was first suppressed by a few armed merchant ships from London whose captains sided with Berkeley and the loyalists.  Bacon died from dysentery on October 26, 1676. Bacon's wealthy landowning followers returned their loyalty to the Virginia Government after Bacon's death.

Governor Berkeley returned to power. He seized the property of several rebels for the colony and executed 23 men by hanging, including the former governor of the Albemarle Sound colony, William Drummond, and the Collector of Customs, Giles Bland. Also executed were Col. Thomas Hansford, a wealthy planter of Gloucester County, and men by the names of Jones, Johnson, Barlow, Carver, Wilford, Young, Page, Harris, Hall, Drummond, Crewe, Cookson, and Darby (according to the list Berkeley made).

Government forces from England arrived soon after and spent several years defeating pockets of resistance and reforming the colonial government to be once more under direct royal control. While the farmers did not succeed in their initial goal of driving the Indians from Virginia, the rebellion did result in Berkeley being recalled to England. After an investigative committee returned its report to King Charles II, Berkeley was relieved of the governorship.

“The fear of civil war among whites frightened Virginia's ruling elite, who took steps to consolidate power and improve their image: for example, restoration of property qualifications for voting, reducing taxes and adoption of a more aggressive American Indian policy." Charles II was reported to have commented, "That old fool has put to death more people in that naked country than I did here for the murder of my father."

A somewhat similar uprising in Maryland involving John Coode and Josias Fendall took place shortly afterwards. The alliance between indentured servants and Africans (most enslaved until death or freed), united by their bond-servitude, disturbed the ruling class, who responded by hardening the racial caste of slavery in an attempt to divide the two races from subsequent united uprisings with the passage of the Virginia Slave Codes of 1705.

Berkeley was replaced as governor by Herbert Jeffreys. (Ency of VA online, Wikipedia)

1676 – UK London - Will – Thomas Knight, Merchant – To wife, Arabella Knight, 2400 pounds sterling to fulfill marriage contract; further to wife Arabella, 600 pounds; to daughter Katherine Knight, 1500 pounds at 21 or marriage and meanwhile, a portion of the money to be used for her education;  if daughter dies before she receives her legacy, it is to be divided among the brothers and sisters of the testator; to brother Richard Knight, 100 pounds; to brother Benjamin Knight, 100 pounds; to sisters (unnamed), 100 pounds; to father and mother (unnamed), 20 pounds to buy mourning rings;  residue of estate to be divided between wife and daughter; Friends John Bawdon and Eyles, Merchants, to be executors. (Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1674-1687, Piece 350: Bence, Quire Numbers 1-54 (1676))

1677 - Feb 18 - VA Surry – Will - Nathaniel Knight, Chirugeon - Bequests: Goddaughter, Mary Proctor dau. of Mr. George Proctor; Godson Nathaniel Phillips; Samuel Briggs, son to Henry Briggs; Mary Browne; Hannah Harrison; Ann Hoskins; Samuel Magget, Sr; Nathaniel Harrison, son of Benjamin Harrison; John Allen; Sister: Abigail Brooks in England. Father: Samuel Knight in Stroodwater, Gloucestershire, England rem. Of estate. (Davis, pp. 86-87)

1677 - Feb 21 VA Henrico – Will – Col. William Farrar - In an inventory of the possessions of Col. William Farrar made for probate of his will, the following is included:  “One English wench 12 months to serve by reason of her short time of service & her Corne & Clothes due at ye expirac’on there of … one man servt by name Thomas Davis, twenty months to serve; a boy servt named George Crooker, 5 years to serve, a man servt named John Knight, 5 years to serve. (Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol. 29, No. 3, p. 168)  Note: Son of William Farrar, Esq, “ancient planter of Virginia” and Cecily Jordan, widow of Samuel Jordan.

1677 – Apr 22 – UK Kent Folkstone – Bur – Susanna Knight – w/o Richard Knight. (Tyler)

1677 – May 2 – UK Kent Folkstone – Bur – Richard Knight. (Tyler)

1676 – Jun 15 – UK Suffolk Woodbridge – Will – Thomas Knight, Esq – “Late of Bredfield…” To wife, Dorothy, “all my plate which is marked with my own coat of arms” for her natural life, after her decease to go to father, John Knight, Esq; to wife, a ring, but not the seal ring, forever; to wife, 20 pounds for her own use and 30 pounds to buy her mourning; “whereas Robert Marriott, my father-in-law did in and by his will give unto Dorothy my wife one sivler basin, certain shipping and several other things which of right ought to have been enjoyed by me and as yet I have no them in possession, now my desires is that Dorothy, my said wife, shall quietly and peaceably enjoy all the said goods and chattels without any disturbance. And further my will and desire is that my said wife shall soone after my decease inhabit with my father and mother in Londond and that my father should take care to see after and manage her estate to the best advantage until such time as she be capable to do it herself”; to father, John Knight, 40 shillings to buy him a mourning ring; to uncle, Mr. Thomas Wells, 20 shillings to buy him also a mourning ring to be with death head engraved and with the motto “Memento Mori”; to “most dearest mother, Mariott”, 20 shillings to buy her a ring; to sister Margaret, 10 shillings to buy a ring; to Phillip Clarke of Woodbridge, 5 pounds and seal ring; father, John Knight, to be executor; Wit: Henry Stebbing, Arthur Jennings, Phillip Clarke. (Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1674-1687, Piece 351: Bence, Quire Numbers 55-108 (1676))

13 - Sep 1677 VA Isle of Wight – Will - John Vicars - Bequest to goddaughter Mary Knight. Wit: Joseph Bridger. (Chapman 1975, p. 16)

1677 - Dec 29 – VA Stafford – Admin - Lieut Col. Cadwallader Jones & Mr. David Jones – Land patent for 14,114 acs. Staff. Co. upon both sides of Accotynk & Pohick Rivers… Trans. Of 282 pers: The list includes William Peirce, James Peirce, William Mallory, John Woodson, Cadwallader Jones (twice), Jonathan Burris (Burasse), Nathaniel Dodson, Thomas Crawford (Craford), William Peterfeild, Richard King, John Bennett, Edward Cutts, Charles Clay, Richard Bishop, John Berry, Richard Baker, John Butler, Thomas Aldridge, Walter Atkinson, Abraham Cason, John Dawson, William Digby, John Davis, Rowland Farmer, John Howell, Robert Hancock, Charles King, William Lawrence, William Miles, John Farmer, John Hancock, Matthew Harrison, John Knight, William Moore, William Hill, Richard Lee, Samuel Hughes, John Newman, William Roberts, Richard Herbert, Francis Peirce, James Palin (Pallin), Alexander Kemp, Bartholomew Watson, John Chamberlaine, William Walker, William Baker, etc. etc (Nugent II, p. 191)

Note:  What a list! Nearly every family name on my selected list belongs to persons already having land, plantations, connections, etc. 

Recall that Capt. Peter Knight obtained a patent jointly with a Baker Cutt 1653 Oct 13. Then note the 1655 Oct 3 patent of John Hinman who used John Knight and John Farmer as headrights, and the 1652 Jul 16 patent of Peter Knight Merchant who used “John Knighthill, John Farmer” as headrights. 

The appearance of John Woodson on this list is also extremely interesting. Recall the 1656 Dec 8 patent of Henry Chichley, Knt., where his headrights included John Woodson (and sixteen of the same names that also appeared  - along with John Woodson - as headrights on the 26 Oct 1650 Hamelin Patent. 

There is over 20 years between the older mentioned patents and this Jones patent, so it really looks like the sons of colonists lent themselves out as headrights, possibly for money or favors; often, the same names were used, in the same order, by different people, in different counties, at the same time.  It is also possible that sons of planters, even wealthy ones, were apprenticed out as “servants” to learn a trade or profession.  In 1690 Jun 2, John Woodson of Henrico is referred to as a wheelwright; that is, he built and repaired wooden wheels for carts, wagons, etc.

1677 – UK Kent New Romney – Chancery – Peter Knight – Knight vs Tutty: Plaintiffs: Thomas Knight (by Edmund Drayner). Defendants: Thomas Tutty, Rebecca Tutty his wife and John Plummer.  Subject: lands and personal estate of the deceased Peter Knight, in Brookland, Old Romney, and New Romney, Kent.  Document type: answer only. (National Archives, Kew England, Ref: C 6/296/118)

1678 – Jan 30 – UK Surrey Southwark – Will – Francis Knight, Wool Comber – To daughter Mary, 1 shilling; all the rest of goods, chattels, and residue to wife, Mary Knight who is sole executrix. (Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1674-1687, Piece 359: King, Quire Numbers 1-65 (1679))

1678 – Feb 20 – UK Berkshire Ashampstead Hartridge – Will – John Knight, Yeoman – To the poor of the parish, 20 shillings; a written document previously made regarding settling affairs with wife’s family is to be opened and read and performed; to cousin, now wife of John Singleton, 8 pounds; to cousin Jane Knight Richard, Elizabeth Money, Elizabeth Higgs, Martha Higgs, William Higgs, 5 pounds apiece; to cousin John Money and his three daughters, Mary Money, Anne Money and Elizabeth Money and cousin James Knight the elder, 50 shillings apiece;  to cousin and godson, James Knight the younger, 5 pounds at 21; to friend Richard Buckridge, little round table and cupboard; residue of estate, lands, houses, tenements, etc, not bequeathed to friend and kinsman William Higgs the Elder of Larkbridge and he to be executor. (Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1624-1643, Piece 168: Sadler, Quire Numbers 45-92 (1635))

1678 – Mar 3 – UK London St Giles Cripplegate – Will – Thomas Knight, Goldsmith – Wife Hannah to be executrix; to brother-in-law Sandall Foxcroft of Bedfordshire, 20 pounds; to sister Taylor, 10 shillings to buy a ring; to sister Margaret, 10 shillings to buy a ring; to Hannah, the wife of Henry Clindon, and Henry, their son, 40 shillings to be divided; to Alexander Leigh, 1 shilling; to Thomas Hewitt (?) 1 shilling; to Thomas Ayleworth, 10 shillings to buy a ring; to John Stanley, 10 shillings to buy a ring; to Nicholas Duncan (Duncumb) 10 shillings to buy a ring; to the poor of the parish of St Giles, 5 pounds to be distributed among the poor of the Freedom Pact of the said parish; residue of estate to wife, Hannah Knight; signed with his mark; Wit: John Galley (mark), Henry Ridley (mark),  Henry Ward, pedagogue. (Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1674-1687, Piece 359: King, Quire Numbers 1-65 (1679)) 

1678 – Mar 8 – UK Surrey Southwark St Olave – Will – William Knight, Waterman – To wife, Anne, half of all household goods and an annuity of 10 pounds a year, and the use of one room in testator’s house “commonly called Dorothy Swayne’s or Thomas Harville’s Room”; there is a term limit on these bequests, but it is not very clear; after which, wife to receive 6 pounds a year annuity; to wife, 20 pounds; to daughter Elizabeth Digweed, wife of James Digweed, 20 pounds and to James Digweed, 1 shilling; to James and Hester Digweed, grandchildren, 20 pounds apiece; to granddaughter, Martha Knight, daughter of my executor, 100 pounds at 21 or marriage; in the meantime, this money to be put out to earn interest;  to sister Jane Smith and her daughter Elizabeth, 5 pounds; to each of my menservants “that have served me and shall carry me to the grave”, a ring of 10 shillings value and a pair of gloves; the residue of goods, chattels, freehold lands, tenements, plate, whatever, to son John Knight and his heirs and he to be executor. (Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1674-1687, Piece 359: King, Quire Numbers 1-65 (1679)) 

1678 - Jun 10 – VA Surry – Admin - Tithables list - Selected: Samuel Alsobrook, John Taylor, Thomas Farmer, Thomas Cotton, Abraham Evans, Richard Greene, Luke Mizell, Edward Greene, John Flood, William Phillips, William Knott, George Jordan, John Sharpe, James Watkins, George Lee SR & JR, Arthur Jordan, James Jordan, River Jordan, James Mathews, Walter Flood, Thomas Flood, Doctor Nathaniel Knight, Matthew Marriot, Thomas Ironmonger, John Ironmonger, William Rose, Francis Gray, John Gray, William Gray, Daniel Regan, David Andrews, John Watkins, Henry Watkins, David Andrews JR, Roger Williams, George Williams, Sion Hill, John Clements, James Ellis, John Phillips, Henry Baker, Walter Taylor, John Barton, William Gray, James Griffin, Thomas Waller, Robert Reynolds, Robert Lancaster, Mathew Swann, Joseph Ford, John Richardson, John Phillips, Anthony Evans, Richard Jordan, William Newsome, William Barton, Henry Gray, John Gray, Thomas Lancaster SR & JR, Henry Hollingsworth, Charles Williams, Richard Anderson, John Gregory, John Collins, John Griffin, William Hancock, John Morgan. (VA Gen. Soc. Qrtly. Vol. 22, No. 3) Note: They apparently didn’t get the memo that Dr. Nathaniel Knight was dead. Seriously, the list was probably made before he died and only presented the following year.

1678 – Jul 5 – UK Somerset Portbury – Will – Thomas Knight, Yeoman – To son John Knight, half of stock and 2 cows and 4 ewes given him by his brother, feather bed and all belonging to it, pan, platter and cup; to wife, Hester, all land in Portbury during her life, and after her decease, to son John Knight; residue of estate to wife and she to be executrix. (Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1674-1687, Piece 357: Reeve, Quire Numbers 56-105 (1678))

1678 - Aug 21 – VA Northumberland – Admin – Peter Knight - Court: “Whereas a Trumpet (Trumpitt) belonging to Capt Peter Knight was prest by Capt Yowell when the soldiers went agt Goodrich and spoyled”, he to be allowed 650 lb tobo from the Levy. (Fleet, NC p. 560)

Note: The only military action that I can find taking place prior to this court claim is Bacon's Rebellion which fired up and then fizzled in 1676 (July - October). This may have been part of the later "mop up" activity. It appears that Capt. Peter and friends were on the government side. Perhaps Peter had learned that rebellions are nasty things from his experiences in Maryland in the 1640s. But really, I'm having a hard time imagining how Youlle smashed Capt. Peter's trumpet!  Or that Capt Peter could play the trumpet! Notice also the pendant trumpets on the Knight COA on the index page.

1678 – Aug 23 – UK Surrey Kingston upon Thames – Will – Elizabeth Knight, Widow – To Mrs. Edward Phillips of Black Friars London, Widow, 5 pounds; to Martha Pauley, 1 shilling; to Thomas Knight, 1 shilling; Walter Knight, 1 shilling; to nephew John Knight and Benjamin Knight, 1 shilling apiece; for burial, 25 pounds; residue of estate to sister Judith Pauley who is to be executrix. (Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1674-1687, Piece 357: Reeve, Quire Numbers 56-105 (1678))

1678 – Sep 14 – UK Devonshire Yarcombe – Will – George Knight, Yeoman – “The Twelve day of October 1673 according to the computation of the Church of England, I George Knight…” To the poor of the parish, 20 shillings; to wife, Honer, all moveable goods that were hers in the time of her widowhood; wife to enjoy best table and best furniture in “the hall” during her natural life, and after her decease to son Nicholas Knight; wife to enjoy all the furniture of the kitchen chamber during her life, and after her decease to son John Knight; to son Nicholas Knight, cider equipment (?) and “pounding trough”; an estate in a tenement called Osborne in the parish of Yarcombe, chattel lease to go to son John Knight; two other tenement rights and yearly revenue to go to wife, and after, to son John Knight; to son George Knight, 1 hogshead of cider; residue of estate to son John Knight who is to be executor. (Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1674-1687, Piece 357: Reeve, Quire Numbers 56-105 (1678))

1678 - Sep 28 – VA Nansemond – Admin - Doctor John Spier – Land patent for 600 acs. Escheat land of Thomas Hunson; inquisition under John Lear, Dept’y Esch’r., &c. (Nugent II, p. 190)

1678 - Oct 3  – VA Accomack – Admin - Hancock Lee Gent – Land patent for 268 acs Escheat land of Col. Wm. Kendall… (Nugent II, p. 192)

Note: We have met William Kendall earlier when, on 1673 Oct 27, 6000 acs were granted to William and his sister Elizabeth. Recall also that their headright list was interesting! An Elizabeth Kendall, almost certainly descended from this William, married Peter Knight (1758-1840), the son of Peter Knight (1735-1811) and Rachel Abbott. This latter Peter was the gr. grandson of Capt. Peter Knight through his son Leonard.  Also, according to the Northumberland County records, Hancock Lee was the close friend of Thomas Knight and Mary Linsfield Sharpe Knight of that county.

1678 - Oct 16 – VA Northumberland – Admin – Peter Knight - Court: Peter Knight appointed Justice of the Court.  He is again appointed 20 Nov 1678 and 18 Aug 1681. (Fleet, NC, p. 560)

1678 – Oct 21 – UK Kent Godmersham – Bur – Nicholas Knight gent – “interred in his field (?)” (Tyler)

1678 – Nov 4 – UK Kent Godmersham – Will – Nicholas Knight – To the poor of the parish, 40 shillings; to John Paine of the town of Wye, shoemaker; 20 shillings; to Mary Dunke of Wye; 20 shillings; to John Dunke of Boughton, brother to Mary; 20 shillings to John Baring and John Triffon, both of Kennyton; 5 pounds to Margaret Ladd, daughter of Nicholas Ladd; 100 pounds; to George Carter of Crandall, son-in-law, and Katherine his wife; 10 pounds apiece to 3 grandchildren George Carter, Katherine and Thomas Carter; 6 pounds and a mark apiece to daughter Margaret Knight, 400 pounds; to daughter Dorothy Knight, 400 pounds; to daughter Phebe Knight, 400 pounds at age 18 or marriage; residue of goods and chattels to son Robert Knight and he to be executor; and concerning my estate in New Jersey, to my son, Robert Knight, with the proviso that he distribute to each of my three daughters, Margaret, Dorothy and Phebe, 500 acres; and to Thomas Carter, son of George Carter, my grandson, 300 acres; Wit John Ferne, John Norman (mark). (Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1674-1687, Piece 358: Reeve, Quire Numbers 106-156 (1678))

1679 – Apr 2 – UK Middlesex Stepney – Will / POA – George Knight, Mariner – “I George Knight of the parish of Stebon heath alias Stepney…”; makes brother, Edward Knight, Merchant Tailor, his attorney, heir and executor. (Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1674-1687, Piece 359: King, Quire Numbers 1-65 (1679))

1679 – Apr 12 – UK Gloucestershire Bristol – Will – John Knight Esq, Alderman – To Anthony Cox and Blanch Lucas, servants, 40 shillings apiece; to the poor of the Parish of Burton, 40 shillings; “having given unto my sons and daughters when I disposed of them in marriage, their portions,” residue of estate to wife who is sole executrix.  (He does not name his wife, but she is named in the probate notice: Mary Knight)  (Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1674-1687, Piece 359: King, Quire Numbers 1-65 (1679))

1679 - May 10 – VA Isle of Wight – Admin - Mr. Richard Jordan, SR (Jordane) – Land patent for 363 acs. In the Low. Parish of sd. Col, on NW side of the head of the Low. Bay Cr. & mouth of the maine Cyprus Sw…. cor of Richard Reynolds… etc. (Nugent II, p. 198)

1679 - Jun 10 – VA Surry – Admin - Tithables list - Selected:  David Phillips, Samuel Alsobrook, George Lee SR & JR, Richard Washington, Jeremiah Ellis, George Jordan, Thomas Cotton, John Taylor, James Watkins, Edward Greene, Thomas Farmer, John Lawrence, James Morris, Richard Greene, Luke Mizell, Arthur Jordan w/sons: River Jordan, James Jordan, James Mathews, Lawrence Mizell, Thomas Ironmonger, John Ironmonger, Thomas Jordan, Walter Flood, Thomas Flood, Thomas Andrews JR, Robert Andrews, William Rose, James Cain, John Watkins, John Gray, Nathaniel Knight deceased, Matthew Marriot, Sion Hill, John Phillips, Henry Baker, Roger Williams, William Hancock, John Morgan, John Lee, Timothy Walker, Mathew Swann, Robert Lancaster, Thomas Waller, Robert Reynolds, James Griffin, Joseph Ford, Lawrence BakerHenry Gray, Richard Gray, John Gray, Richard Jordan, John Phillips, William Newsome, Henry Hart, William Barton, Joseph Richardson. VA Gen. Soc. Qrtly. Vol 22, No. 3)
Note: They got the memo.

1679 – Aug 20 - VA Northumberland – Peter Knight & George Knight – Court: Capt. Knight's Bond for his Son in Law's to appeare: Capt. Peter Knight doth in Court oblige himselfe in the penall sum of five thousand pounds of tobacco and caske that his Son in Law, Mr. George Knight, shall appeare the next Court to answer the suites of Mr. Charles Morgan, Attorney of Mr. Edward Feilding, and Mr. John Hughlett, Senior. (NC 1677-1679 Order Book, p. 36)

Note: It appears that we are here being notified that Capt. Peter's daughter was married to a George Knight who was a miller. Recall that in the 1661 Aug 18 entry, a John Hughlett and Thomas Salisbury patented land using John Knight as headright. Also, in 1662 Feb 10 entry, Capt. Peter sold land to a Richard Feilding of Bristol, Merchant. Apparently a lot more was going on in real life than the records permit us to know.

We know that Elizabeth Knight, daughter of Capt. Peter, was born at least by 1660, and would be 19 at this time. Was she the wife of George Knight? Or was it his daughter, Mary Knight? We have no clues whatsoever as to when Mary was born so can't even speculate there. She could have been born before Elizabeth, or after; if after, she would probably be too young to be married; but if she was born before, she would be in her 20s and possibly have children.

As for George Knight, he may have been a cousin, or not directly related at all. He is said to be a miller, so he's not just a fresh young man; he would likely be a bit older, say 25 or 30. That would put his birth c. 1654. I have found no likely prospect to be this person in the records, though there is a family of Knights of Cowden, Kent, that looks promising as an upline connection; they had a lot of Georges!

I also wonder if "Guy" was a nickname for George? Is it possible that this is our lost Guy Knight? After all, he was introduced as a headright to Northumberland county in 1658, 20 years earlier which would give him a birth estimate of at least 1640. Since I think that Capt. Peter married about 1654, his daughter Mary, could have been born 1655 or so. She would have been of marriageable age in 1671 when Guy/George was 31.  I also note that Guy Knight patented land at a place called “Milford Haven”, likely to be site of a mill.  In any event, the following records show that the plot thickens rapidly.

1679 – Aug 22 – UK Middlesex Stepney St Mary Matfelon – POA/Will – John Knight, Mariner – Names Thomas Passingham, citizen and merchant/tailor of London, his true and lawful attorney, his heir and executor. (Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, PROB 11: Will Registers, 1674-1687, Piece 360: King, Quire Numbers 66-124 (1679))

1679 - Oct 1 – VA New Kent – Admin - Mr. Mathew Kemp – Land patent for 640 acs. N.E. side Mattapony Riv. Granted Mrs. Elizth. Kemp for a greater quantity & now resurveyed by Coll. John Lewis & due for trans of 13 pers. incl: William Colson (Coalson), Jonathan Knight (text: Jona. Knt.)… (Nugent II, p. 202-3)
Note: Considering the fact that John Knight of Lunenburg, who left a will naming all his children, had one son named John and another named Jonathan, one cannot help but wonder if this was his father or a relation? New Kent County is right next door to Henrico where the Woodsons were, and John Knight was said to have married Elizabeth Woodson.

1679 – Oct 15 - VA Northumberland – George Knight – Court: Thomas Hickman agt George Knight: Whereas Thomas Hickman was summoned to this Court to give in his Evidence on the behalfe of Mr. George Knight the Miller against Richard Pemberton, it is ordered that George Knight, the Miller, pay Thomas Hickman for his attendance according to Law; George Knight agt Ridhard Pemberton Whereas George Knight complaineth to this Court that Richard Pemberton beate and abused his Wife, it is ordered that Richard Pemberton pay George Knight the sum of tenn pounds of tobacco damages with costs of suite als Execution (NC 1677-1679 Order Book, p. 46)

Note: Well, obviously, if George Knight was the son-in-law of Capt. Peter, the wife in question here who was "beate and abused" by Pemberton, was a daughter of Capt. Peter and one might expect that old fire breathing Puritan Rebel was highly incensed. One can hardly imagine why a man would assault another man's wife but I've seen other similar records.  One wonders, of course, if "beate and abused" was a euphemism for "raped"? But you would think that would be worth more than 10 lbs of tobacco! Perhaps the family did not want it bruited abroad that the young woman had been raped and made the charge as such deliberately to conceal that fact? In any event, within the next couple of months, it appears that things may have come to a head in some way.

1679 – Dec 23 – UK Somerset Brompton Regis – Camb Alum – James Knight - Adm. sizar (age 17) at EMMANUEL, Dec. 23, 1679. Of Derbyshire. Matric. 1680; B.A. 1683-4; M.A. 1687. Ord. priest (London) Feb. 24, 1688-9. Perhaps V. of Brompton Regis, Somerset, 1690-1700.

Continue to Next Page of Records

Return to Index