THE KNAPP FAMILY

I. Nicholas KNAPP - bpt 16 May 1592 at Wells, Norfolk Co, ENG (?); d 16 Apr 1670 Stamford, Fairfield Co, CT; m Elinor LOCKWOOD; other spouses were Susan MITTERSON and Unity (BUXTON) BROWN; Ch, all born Watertown, Middlesex Co, MA except for Lydia, were:

1. Jonathan KNAPP - b 8 Nov 1631; d 27 Dec 1631 Watertown, MA

2. Timothy KNAPP - b 14 Dec 1632; d bef 1685 Rye, NY/CT?; m Wethersfield, CT to Bethia BRUNDAGE

3. Joshua KNAPP - b 1 Nov 1634; d 27 Oct 1684 Stamford, Fairfield Co, CT; m 9 Jun 1657 at Stamford to Hannah CLOSE - b abt 1632 Grinton Parish, Yorkshire, ENG; d 1696 Stamford, CT; Ch were: (a) Caleb KNAPP b Jun 1677

4. John Caleb KNAPP - b 20 Nov 1636 (see below)

5. Sarah KNAPP - b 5 Jan 1638/39; d 1681 Rye, (NY?CT); m 6 Apr 1667 at Stamford to Peter DISBROW

6. Ruth KNAPP - b 6 Jan 1640/41; d abt 1702 Greenwich, CT; m 20 Sep 1657 at Stamford to Joseph FERRIS - b 20 Jun 1635 Watertown, MA; d abt 1699 Greenwich, CT; Ch were: (a) John FERRIS; (b) Peter FERRIS b 6 Sep 1660; (c)James FERRIS b abt 1662; (d) Ruth FERRIS b abt 1663; (e) Moses FERRIS b abt 1664; (f) Joshua FERRIS b 31 Mar 1666; (g) Benjamin FERRIS b abt 1668; (h) Hannah FERRIS b abt 1673; (i) Lydia FERRIS b abt 1675; (j) Caleb FERRIS b abt 1679; (k) Joseph FERRIS b 31 Mar 1683

7. Hannah KNAPP - b 6 Mar 1642/43; d 4 Jun 1696 Stamford, CT; m abt 1673 at Stamford to Zerubebel HOYT

8. Moses KNAPP - b 6 Aug 1645; d abt 1725 Stamford, CT; m 1 Oct 1668 at Stamford to Abigail WESTCOTT

9. Lydia KNAPP - b 8 Jun 1647 Stamford, CT; d 9 Dec 1716 Stratford, CT; m 16 Jan 1665/66 at Stamford to Dr. Isaac HALL - b abt 1629 ENG; d 17 May 1714 Stratford, CT

NOTES:

FROM: NOTES OF FRED KNAPP

Nicholas Knapp (immigrant 1630 Winthrop Fleet) - SHIP: Arbella, Peter Milbourne, Capt. and Master.

He resided at England; Massachusetts; Connecticut - a weaver and farmer by trade - was a member of the Puritan Congregational Church.

FROM: NOTES OF HAL YOUNG

Much has been written about Nicholas Knapp and yet to this day we are still searching for proof of his ancestors. Was he related to William Knapp that sailed with Nicholas and did he have a first wife that he married in England?

If we had proof that Nicholas and William Knapp were related, we would be able to establish ancestors as William's line is found highly probable. We find that a Nicholas Knapp has been associated with Susan Mitterson, of Wells-By-The-Sea and were married in 1617, Co Norfolk, Eng and that she died in Eng prior to 1630, which would make Nicholas not from Co Sulfolk. Again, we must await until better data is available to confirm this theory.

We do know that Nicholas and his wife, Elinor were passengers with the Winthrop Fleet and set sail 8 Apr 1630 at six in the morning bound for New Foundland. Also aboard was William Knapp and his wife with seven children.

The Knapps settled in Watertown, Middlesex Co, MA, which was settled mainly by immigrants from Counties Suffolk, Essex and Norfolk, ENG. The pastor of the church at Watertown was Reverend Deorge Phillips, from Boxted, Co Essex. The church was organized on 30 Jul 1630, with some forty men, headed by Sir Richard Saltonstall, signing the membership list. The church remained the only church for sixty-six years. Only church members could become Freeman and vote.

On 1 Mar 1630/31, Nicholas was fined five pounds for selling "water" which he claimed would cure scurvey knowing that it had no worth. William Pelham and Edmond Lockwood promised they would pay the fine.

Children were by Nicholas and Elinor. On 9 Mar 1659 Nicholas married Unica (Unity) Brown, widow of Peter Brown, who married Unity 22 Jul 1658 and he died soon after. Unity's first marriage was to Clement Buston who died 2 Aug 1657 in Stamford, CT of which three children, Sarah, Unity and Clement Buxton were born.

Nicholas wrote his will in Fairfield, Fairfield Co, CT on 15 Apr 1670 and where he died the next day on 16 Apr 1670.

Notes from Gordon Hamilton (PA): Re: Elinor Lockwood - Some have indicated that Elinor's maiden name was Disbrow (Disbrough). Evidence that it was Lockwood comes from the manuscript compiled by Alfred Averill Knapp on Nicholas Knapp Genealogy (1953). On page 3 of that book is the following quote from the Hartford Times, Oct 23, 1943, genealogical paaage, Query A-2695: "The late Judge H. Stanley Finch, long Surrogate Judge at Stamford and a keen student of Lockwood, Finch and allied families, gave his opinion that Elinor, wife of Nicholas Knapp, was daughter of Edmund Lockwood of Combs, Suffolk, England and sister of Edmund Lockwood (1594-1635) of Cambridge, Mass. and of Robert Lockwood (1600-1658) of Watertown, Mass. and Fairfield, Conn. This seems probable though documentary proof is lacking.")

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II. John Caleb KNAPP (aka Caleb KNAPP) - b 20 Nov 1636 Watertown, Middlesex Co, MA; d 12 Dec 1674 Stamford, Fairfield Co, CT; m 26 Mar 1660 at Stamford to Hannah SMITH - b 1642 Stamford, CT; d aft 1687 Stamford, CT; she was daughter of Dr. Henry and Ann (JACKSON) SMITH; Hannah was also m to Thomas LAWRENCE, Jr. Ch, all born Stamford, CT, were:

1. Caleb KNAPP - b 24 Nov 1661; d aft 1717 Norwalk, Fairfield Co, CT; m 23 Nov 1694 at Stamford to Hannah CLEMENTS

2. John KNAPP - b 25 Jul 1664; d 5 Apr 1749 Stamford, CT; m 10 Jun 1692 at Stamford to Hannah FERRIS

3. Moses KNAPP - b abt 1666; d 1753 Danbury, Fairfield Co, CT; m 30 Oct 1689 at Stamford to Elizabeth CRISSEY

4. Lt. Samuel KNAPP - b abt 1668 (See Below)

5. Sarah KNAPP - b 1670; d aft 1728 Greenwich, Fairfield Co, CT; m 1691 at Greenwich to Ebenezer MEAD

6. Hannah KNAPP - b 1672 (no further data known)

NOTES:

Most records including Caleb's birth record DO NOT indicate a first name of John, however, he is referred to as "John" Caleb in the Will of his father.

(John) Caleb, died by 4 Mar 1675, the date of his Inventory; his Will is dated 2 Dec 1674; Probated - 1675

His occupations were farmer/weaver - his religion, Puritan (Congregational)

Will and Inventory filed at Fairfield, Fairfield Co, CT - p36, Vol, 1675-1689; wife, Hannah (Smith), and all children on chart are named.

Hannah, the youngest daughter is said to have married Nathaniel Cross, in many early writings. This has been determined to be in error, for it was Hannah Knapp, daughter of Moses and Abigail (Westcott) Knapp, that he married, per Bond by Moses Knapp, in 1713, in which he names Nathaniel Cross as one of his 3 sons-in-law. No further record has been found on this Hannah Knapp, daughter of (John) Caleb.

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III. Lt. Samuel KNAPP - b abt 1668 Stamford, CT; d abt 1739 Danbury, CT; m abt 1696 to Hannah BUSHNELL - b 22 Aug 1676 Norwalk, CT; d abt 1723 Danbury, CT, dau of Francis and Hannah (SEYMOUR) BUSHNELL. Ch were:

1. Samuel KNAPP, Jr - b abt 1698; d abt 1740; m abt 1725 to Sarah HOYT

2. John KNAPP - b abt 1700 Danbury, Fairfield Co, CT (See below)

3. Francis KNAPP - b abt 1702 Danbury, CT; d 7 Jun 1776 Danbury, CT; m at Danbury to Deborah TAYLOR - b abt 1703 Danbury, CT; d 28 Jul 1775, Danbury, CT

4. Joshua KNAPP - b 5 Feb 1715/16; d 8 Aug 1798; m Hannah TAYLOR; and Abigail J B DIBBLE

5. Abigail KNAPP - b abt 1705; m Stephen CURTIS - b 1699 Woodbury, CT; d 1740 Danbury, CT; Ch were: (a)Stephen CURTIS, Jr; (b) Daughter CURTIS (c) Daughter CURTIS; (other spouse was John STUDEVANT)

6. Caleb KNAPP - b abt 1709; d 6 Feb 1788; m Abigail BRACY; Rebecca (HOYT) RAYNESFORD

7. Mercy KNAPP - b abt 1713 Danbury, CT; d 22 May 1797; m James BENEDICT - b abt 1710; d 3 Mar 1777

8. Aaron KNAPP - b abt 1718; d abt 1787; m Mary HOYT

9. Hannah KNAPP - b abt 1720 Danbury, CT; m 14 Oct 1740 to Ensign Thomas BENEDICT - b 5 Dec 1670 was of Norwalk, CT; d 10 May 1743

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IV. John KNAPP Sr. - b abt 1700 Danbury, Fairfield Co, CT; d 1758 aboard ship on Lake Erie and was buried at sea; m abt 1724 Danbury, CT to Mary Margaret TAYLOR - b abt 1700 Danbury, CT; dau of Daniel and Elizabeth (BENEDICT) TAYLOR; Ch, all born Danbury, CT, were:

1. Samuel KNAPP - b abt 1729; d 1797 Nassau, Rensselaer Co, NY

2. John KNAPP, Jr - b abt 1735 (See Below)

3. Elijah KNAPP - b bef Sep 1735; d 17 Oct 1823 Glennville, Schenectady Co, NY; m 1779 Basking Ridge, Somerset Co, NJ to Phebe WATKINS - d Jan 1823; Other spouses were Irene FERRIS, Rachel BARDEN

4. Zephaniah KNAPP - b 6 May 1736; d 21 Jan 1816 Pittston, Luzerne Co, PA; m 14 Oct 1762 Goshen, Orange Co, NY to Milah ROE - b 1741; d 11 May 1806

5. Amos KNAPP - b 1738; d 1785 Lebanon Springs, Columbia Co, NY; m abt 1754 to Phebe NELSON

6. Zadock KNAPP - b aft 1738; d 3 Dec 1790 Panton, VT; m at New Marlboro, Berkshire Co, MA to Elizabeth TURNER

7. Charles Jacob KNAPP - b abt 1741; d 11 Feb 1793 Warwick, Orange Co, NY; m abt 1754 to Hannah FINCH - b 21 Oct 1733 Greenwich, Fairfield Co, CT

8. Luke KNAPP - b 1742; d 1845 Bainbridge, NY; m 19 Jul 1764 Amenia, Dutchess Co, NY (Canaan, CT?) to Anna KETCHUM

9. Ruth KNAPP - b 1745; m at Norfolk, Litchfield Co, CT to ??? BARDEN

10. Elizabeth KNAPP - b 1748

11. Joseph KNAPP - b 1751; d 12 Jan 1835 Lebanon Springs, Columbia Co, NY; m 27 Nov 1777 at Lebanon Springs to Deborah MANROW (MONROE) - b 30 Dec 1753 Sharon, Litchfield Co, CT; d 1833 Lebanon Springs, NY

NOTES:

FROM: The records of Fred Knapp

That John Knapp, Sr., married Mary Margaret Taylor, and not her sister, Rebecca, as many early writings state, is proved by the Will of (Capt) Daniel Taylor, in which his daughter, Rebecca, is mentioned as the wife of Daniel Benedict.

FROM: HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, by Craft (1878)

P. 129 - John Knapp, Sr. was appointed first "chorister", an office not perpetuated, although most churches take some over sight of the singing portion of divine service.

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V. John KNAPP, Jr - b abt 1725 Danbury, Fairfield Co, CT; d 17 Dec 1766 Danbury, CT; m bef 1746 to Mary HOYT - dau of John and Hannah (DRAKE) HOYT, Jr; Ch were:

1. Elizabeth KNAPP - b abt 1753; m Samuel (or Ebenezer) CLEMENT; Ch were: (a) Samuel CLEMENT b 1 Jan 1772; d 1856; m 1794 to Ruth HIBBARD (Notes: Elizabeth chose Elisha Benedict, of Norfolk, CT as guardian, June 21, 1769)

2. Tamar KNAPP - b abt 1755; d at Bath, NY; m Gershom TOWNER - b 1753; d 4 Feb 1829 Avoca, NY; Ch were: (a) Rachel TOWNER - m Joseph WOODWARD; (b) Abraham TOWNER - m Hannah ROWLAND; (c) Elizabeth TOWNER - m Rufus GORTON; (d) Daniel TOWNER - m Mary BUDLING; (e) Eunice TOWNER - m Moses GORTON; (f) Sarah TOWNER - m Alexander MORRISON; (g) Joseph TOWNER; (h) John TOWNER - m Hannah LOOFS; (g) Aaron TOWNER - m Susannah COLLIER; (Notes: Tamar chose Elisha Benedict, of Norfolk, CT as her guardian, June 21, 1769)

3. John B. KNAPP - b abt 1756; d 1822 Nashville, Chautauqua Co, NY; m 8 Apr 1778 to Mabel ???; Ch were: (a) James KNAPP; (Notes: RELIGION: Baptist (of record 1820, Baptist Church of Morris, NY). Resided at Morris and Hanover, Ostego Co, NY; then by 1820, removed to vicinity of Nashville, Chautauqua Co, NY; said to have died there at the home of his son James (from obit)

4. Levi KNAPP - b abt 1758; (Josiah Starr was appointed his guardian, April 2, 1770)

5. Mary Knapp - b 3 Jul 1760 (See Below)

6. Samuel KNAPP - b abt 1766; d 26 Jan 1850 Dutchess Co, NY; m 14 Feb 1796 New Milford, Litchfield Co, CT to Phoebe MCMAHON - b 1776 New Milford, Litchfield Co, CT; d Apr 1866 New Milford, CT; (Notes: Samuel was a school teacher at Washington, Dutchess Co, NY. He and Phebe were married at First Church of Christ - New Milford Church Record.

On 4 Jan 1798, Phebe, wife of Samuel, decided to separate from him; she took their only child, son Henry Cornelius and walked from Washington, Dlutchess Co, NY to New Milford, Litchfield Co, CT, to the home of her parents, Cornelis & Mary (Wheeler) McMahon. She never returned to the marriage. On 26 Jan 1801, Phebe divorced Samuel (Superior Court Records, Litchfield Co, CT). This was quite a lengthy ordeal. There is no record of another marriage for either of them)

NOTES:

Inventory of his estate was taken Nov. 29, 1766, Danbury. On Oct. 7, 1767, the Court appointed Samuel Dickinson, administrator, and to receive and examine claims. John is said to have built and managed the first saw mill in the town.

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VI. Mary KNAPP - b 3 Jul 1760 Danbury, Fairfield Co, CT; d 21 Feb 1841 Towner Hill, Sheshequin Twp, Bradford Co, PA; m 17 Dec 1778 to Elijah TOWNER (for more info see Towner Page)


Other Sites With Reference To KNAPP

1. The Winthrop Fleet of 1630:
2. Savage - Collins, Origins and Descendants 1630 - 1960:


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