Knight family
The Knight family
To begin this research, consider the name given to
William Thomas Knight. William was born
in 1888. He was the son of Frederick Charles Knight and Mary Ann Thomas.
Frederick Charles Knight was born in 1860 in Southampton, Hampshire. Frederick was the son of William Henry Knight
and Emma Bird Thompson, who were married in 1849. The marriage took place at Portsea Island. The
Knight family seems to have originated from Southampton.
 |
| 1871 Census |
The first census returns on which Frederick was to be named was the 1871 one. The Knight family was living at 14 Delhi Street, Portsea.
William Knight was aged 15 and was employed as a Boatman,
while Emma was aged 39. Their children
were
William H., aged 21, who was employed as a Cabinet Maker; Eliza
E., aged 20, who was employed as a Dressmaker; Alfred J., aged 14, who was a
Seaman; Frederick C., aged 10; Walter, aged 7, and Edgar, aged 5, who all attended
school. The youngest children were Alice,
aged 2, and Arthur W., aged 2 months.
Also present was Sarah Thompson, the 76-year-old widow of Emma's father.
William died in 1900, aged 77, and Emma died in 1912, aged
79. They are both buried at All Saints'
churchyard, Headley, Hampshire.
In loving memory
of William Knight died July 15th 1900 aged 78 years. Also Emma Knight the
dearly beloved wife of the above died November 27th 1912 aged 80 years. Beloved
and loving they have passed away while we who mourn their loss can only pray to
meet them yet again in that blest home where sorrow, sin and death are all
unknown. We look to heaven, with many a fervent prayer trust in Jesu's love to
meet them there.
So, following the line of Frederick. The Royal Navy Registers of Seamans’ Service
give details of Frederick's actual birthday, 21st July 1860.
 |
| Royal Navy Registers of Seamans’ Service |
There is a mistake on this record.
 |
| Duke of Wellington |
 |
| St. Vincent |
The register records that Frederick was 5 ft in height, whose
complexion was light brown hair, hazel eyes, and a fresh complexion. First saw
action in August 1876, whilst serving on the Duke of Wellington, this
service lasted until January 1876! So, did
he enlist in August 1877? Frederick's
last ship was the St. Vincent.
The next census record that records Frederick is the 1891.
Now married, both Frederick and Mary are living at 1 Pilton Place, Swansea.
 |
| 1891 Census |
Frederick, aged 30, is employed as a Gas Worker, while Mary
is 24. Their children are
David C., aged 4, attends school. William T., aged 3; Eva
E., aged 1-, and 2-month-old Alfred G.
Also present is Thomas Thomas, aged 26, who is also a Dock
Labourer.
6 Recorder Street is the next home of Frederick and Mary at
the time of the 1901 Census.
 |
| 1901 Census |
Frederick, who is now 40 years old, is still employed as a Gas
Worker, while Mary is aged 33. Their children
are
David C., aged 14, and William T., aged 13, who are General
Labourers; Eva Elizabeth, aged 11; Alfred G., aged 10; Alice Maud, aged 3; and
Mary Annie, aged 3 months.
Also present is a boarder, Richard E. Craig, aged 20, who is
employed as a Dock Labourer.
Mary Ann Knight died in 1907.
It wouldn’t be until the 1921 Census that Frederick was next
recorded.
 |
| 1921 Census |
Frederick, aged 62, who is a Fuel Worker, employed at Atlantic
Fuel Works, Fuel Manufacturers, Out of Work.
Along with his daughters, Alice, aged 23, and Lilian, aged 17, both of
whom are Servants and are out of employment.
Interesting, the census records that Frederick’s place of birth was At
Sea, and not Hampshire.
They were boarders living at the home of Thomas Grey at 16
Marsden Street.
Frederick, aged 60, at the time of the 1939 Register, was
living at 15 Macksworth Terrace.
 |
| 1939 Register |
Aged 88, Frederick died in 1944.
So, following the line of William Thomas Knight.
In 1910, William married Mary Davies at St. Marks church.
 |
| William Thomas Knight and Mary Davies Marriage certificate St. Marks church |
The certificate records that William, who is aged 21, is a
Haulier and his home address is 4 Croft Street, whilst Mary is 19, and he home
address is 3 Thomas Row. Mary’s father,
David Davis, who was a Mason, had died.
The following year, at the time of the 1911 census, William
and Mary were living at 3 Thomas Row, the home of Sarah Ann Davies, the 52-year-old
widowed mother of Mary.
 |
| 1911 Census |
William, aged 22, is employed as a Carter in Fruit, and Mary,
aged 20. Their child at this time was 8-month-old
Edna May.
Also present was Alice Maud Davies, aged 18, who an Assisting
in the Business Sugar Boiler Sweets.
During the First World War, William served with the Welsh
Regiment. Sadly, his service papers haven’t
survived.
Following the war, the 1921 census records that the family,
which has grown, are still at 3 Thomas Row.
 |
| 1921 Census |
William, aged 37, is a Dock Labourer but sadly out of work,
while Mary, aged 31, undertakes the Home Duties. Their children are
Edna, aged 10; Violet, aged 7; and Doris, aged 1.
Also present is Sarah Ann Davies, Mary’s mother, aged 63.
Aged 45 William died in 1931.
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