Thomas Joseph McKnight married Johanna Patrick somewhere in Ireland

Johnny:

The baptismal record for Mary McKnight is not available on the subscription site Roots Ireland. I assume the family was Church of Ireland? FYI. Civil registration of births did not begin until 1864.

If Thomas and Johanna were Church of Ireland and married after 1844, a civil marriage record should be available but I was not able to find the record.

Based on the surnames, Thomas and Johanna were likely from Co. Tyrone.

Roger McDonnell

In the death of Mr. Robt. McKnight, Augusta has lost one of her oldest and most respected citizens. He was born in County Cavan, Ireland. In 1814, and came to Augusta in 1850, where he was engaged in the shoe business for many years.

Mrs. Mary McKnight, relict of the late Robert McKnight, died at her residence on Greene Street, about 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon, after an illness of ten days. She was a devoted wife and mother and follows her lamented husband to the great beyond n a little more than a year.

 Born in County Antrim, Ireland, she came to this country when six years of age, and has been a resident of Augusta more than thirty-five years. The children surviving her are Mrs. J. M. Lee, Mr. Andrew J. McKnight and Miss Sarah McKnight, who have the deepest sympathy of their many friends.

Johnny:

No luck finding the marriage or Mary's baptism. Also, looked for a Thomas McKnight baptism with father William but no record around 1825.

If you can establish a connection between Robert and Thomas then Co. Cavan seems likely. Have you take a general DNA test?

Roger

Roger,

We do not know the name of Thomas Joseph McKnight's father or mother. Nor where they were born in Ireland. Just that their birth place is Ireland, same as Thomas Joseph and his wife Johanna Patrick. Johanna was spelled Joan in the death certification of her son, William Joseph McKnight. Then her name was spelled as Joanna in the 1870 and 1880 Federal Census Records. 

Thomas married Johanna Patrick ca. 1844 – 1850 in Ireland. Johanna was born ca. 1826 as calculated from the date of death and age (Aged 65) on her grave stone; born ca. 1831 as calculated from the 1870 Census Records; and was born ca. 1828 as calculated from the 1880 Census Records. She died November 21, 1891 at Aged 65 as shown on her grave stone. Note: Johanna’s (Joan’s) maiden name “Patrick” is recorded on the Death Certificate of Thomas and Johanna McKnight’s son, William J. McKnight (who died on December 18, 1929

Census Records show that Mary A. McKnight was born in Ireland in 1852.  Another daughter, Adaline (Abbie) McKnight, was born in Georgia in 1858. Based upon these documented facts, Thomas and Joanna McKnight immigrated to America sometime between late 1852 and 1858 – probably sometime during the timeframe 1853 to 1857.

We just do no know where. My mother-in-law has taken a DNA test. Of course, the maternal results just showed she was Irish. She is the grand-daughter of Thomas Joseph McKnight and Joanna Patrick McKnight.

Thanks so much for your help!

Johnny Long

I have been looking at Freeholder Records (pre-1840 freeholders' registers and poll books). There were two Thomas McKnight men and four William McKnight men in County Down (dates varied, but around 1815).

Then, there were two James Patrick men in County Down. Also, two James Patrick men in County Down. Plus, four John Patrick men in County Antrim, and one Robert Patrick in County Antrim. Some dates were missing, but three of the John Patrick men in County were dated in the 1830's. 

These records indicate suspect McKnight and Patrick Families in the same timeframe for potential families associated with my Thomas Joseph McKnight and Johanna Patrick McKnight. Both Thomas and Johanna were born in ca. 1825. 

Reference all of the previous messages related to Thomas Joseph and Johanna Patrick McKnight. 

I am at a loss of where to go next. Any help would really be appreciated. 

Thanks in advance!

Johnny

North Carolina (USA)

Johnny:

You have leads from the Freeholder's List but no way to confirm any connection.

Regarding DNA testing, you commented:

My mother-in-law has taken a DNA test. Of course, the maternal results just showed she was Irish.

Did your mother in law take a general DNA test from Ancestry or another company or was the test a mitrochondria test which only tracks the pure maternal line?

If she took a general test then she should have matches and possibly there are matches on the McKnight/Patrick line and maybe a match has more information on the family.

Roger

Roger,

Thanks for your response. We are going to analyze my mother-in-law's DNA results. She is 81 years old and she has misplaced her results and paperwork. We are also going to attempt to have a male member of the family have his DNA tested. We also might have her retest her DNA. 

In the interim, I am going to attempt to identify where Thomas Joseph McKnight and Johanna Patrick McKnight were born in Ireland. The McKnights and Patricks in County Down and County Atrim did not show a connection. While the McKnight family has been shown in several counties, the Patrick Surname, at least to me, was not that common during that era (1830's, for example). Maybe this is indicated just to limited data? 

Any input for options to pursue would really be helpful.

Just curious, are you in Ireland?

Thanks much!

Johnny

Johnny:

I would discourage the Y-DNA test which tracks the pure paternal line. The results/matches take you back to the 1700s (in my experience). I think a general DNA test would suffice.

I live near Baltimore Maryland.

Roger

Thank you, Roger. I did find some new information about a Robert McKnight who lived on the same street in Augusta, Georgia. Coincidence? Maybe, but could suggest a connection with Thomas Joseph McKnight. 

"In the death of Mr. Robt. McKnight, Augusta has lost one of her oldest and most respected citizens. He was born in County Cavan, Ireland. In 1814, and came to Augusta in 1850, where he was engaged in the shoe business for many years. He was probably better posted as to the holders of real estate on Greene street than any man in the city.  . . . "

Then,

The disposition of Thomas J. McKnight’s property by his son, William J. McKnight, illustrates the location and address of property he owned when he died in 1899.

STATE OF GEORGIA – RICHMOND COUNTY – By virtue of an order of the Court of the Ordinary of Columbia County, will be sold at public outcry, on the FIRST TUESDAY IN FEBRUARY, 1900, at the Court House in Richmond County, between the usual hours of sale, the following real estate, situated in Augusta, Richmond County, to-wit:  All that tract of land known as lots number 709 and 710 of the Augusta Land Company survey, and bounded on the north by Greene street; east by property of Dr. Sally; south by alley and west by lands of D. B. Dyer. Said lots having a frontage of 60 feet each, on Greene street and running back the distance of147 feet. The sale will continue from day today between the same hours until all said property is sold. Terms cash.