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).
1. Thomas Franklin McKnight(1889–1891)
2. Johanna Elizabeth 'Sis' 'Bessie' McKnight(1891–1969)
3. Alice "Bea" Beatrice McKnight(1893–1964)
4. Mary Edith "Eddie" McKnight(1895–1922)
5. Georgia Irene "Penne" McKnight(1897–1964)
6. William Raymond McKnight(1900–1975)
7. Andrew Patrick McKnight(1902–1962)
8. Sallie Ruth McKnight(1904–1932)
9. Bryant Foster 'B.F.' McKnight(1906–1975)
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 Long
Tuesday 6th Aug 2024, 03:39PMMessage Board Replies
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You can use this site to see where the surnames were most common in Ireland in the mid 1800s. McKnight is largely focussed in the counties of Ulster (which includes Antrim & Cavan). When you add Patrick to the mix the 2 main areas where both are found are Antrim & Tyrone.
Researching in Ireland in the 1700s and early 1800s is very hard going due to the general lack of records. If you don’t know where they lived it’s a needle in a haystack. Ideally you need to know the person’s exact denomination and the townland or parish they lived in to have any chance of finding them, and even then there may not be any records for that location.
Possibly DNA testing may be a way of matching with others who have additional information about where the family originate. Family Tree DNA reportedly has more people with Ulster roots than any other company. That obviously increases the chances of finding a match. You might want to try them or, if you have already tested, you can transfer your results to them for no fee.
The North of Ireland Family History Society is running an Ulster DNA project in conjunction with FTDNA and can offer testing kits at a reduced price. http://www.nifhs.org (Go to DNA project on the website).
Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Tuesday 6th Aug 2024, 04:27PM -
Jonny,
Have you researched Mary A. McNight? She appears on the 1870 census with Thomas, Johanna, and family. Mary A., 18, is the only one of the children said to have been born in Ireland. Perhaps you might find a baptismal record for her c1852; the location would likely be the place where at least one of her parents was from.
Name Mary A Mcknight Age in 1870 18 Birth Date abt 1852 Birthplace Ireland Dwelling Number 1222 Home in 1870 District 126, Columbia, Georgia Race White Gender Female Post Office Berzelia Occupation Without Occupation Father of Foreign Birth Yes Mother of Foreign Birth Yes Inferred Father Thomas Mcknight Inferred Mother Joanna Mcknight Household Members (Name) Age Thomas Mcknight 38 Joanna Mcknight 39 Mary A Mcknight 18 Adaline Mcknight 12 Alice Mcknight 11 William Mcknight 9 It might be possible that Johanna was Thomas's second wife and that Mary A. was not Johanna's child. There is a gap of many years between the births of Johanna and the next child, which could mean a second marriage. Then again, it's possible that children could have died.
I hope this is helpful.
Patricia
Tuesday 6th Aug 2024, 11:46PM -
Patricia,
Thank you for your suggestions. I haven't pursued that perspective. And, there are about 13 years difference between the birth of their first child, Mary A, and their second child, Adaline.
Children of Thomas Joseph McKnight and Joanna Patrick (from 1870 and 1880 Census Records):
- Mary A. McKnight (b. ca. 1845 from the age shown on her headstone or ca. 1852 which is calculated from her age 18 as shown in the August, 1870 Census; born in Ireland; d. March 10, 1887 at Aged 42 from her headstone, Magnolia Cemetery, Augusta, Georgia)
- Married Patrick F. McLaughlin by a Catholic Priest in Richmond County, Georgia on January 4, 1872
- Adaline (Addie) McKnight (b. March 8, 1858 in Georgia; d. March 16, 1895 at age 37 – per the dates on her grave stone)
- Married Henry Anthony Caver (1844 – 1944) at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia on January 5, 1875.
- Buried in the Abilene Baptist Church Cemetery, 3917 Washington Rd, Martinez, Columbia County, Georgia
- Alice McKnight (b. 1859 in Georgia; d. April 9, 1884)
- Married Jerry J. Verdery in Richmond County, Georgia on October 18, 1883
- Buried in the Magnolia Cemetery, Augusta, Georgia
- William Joseph McKnight (b. 1862 in Georgia; Death: December 18, 1929 in Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia)
I'll definitely spend some time researching any records for Mary A. McKnight in Ireland. Thirteen years without a child would be very, very unusual in that era.
Thanks again!
Johnny
Johnny Long
Wednesday 7th Aug 2024, 04:19PM - Mary A. McKnight (b. ca. 1845 from the age shown on her headstone or ca. 1852 which is calculated from her age 18 as shown in the August, 1870 Census; born in Ireland; d. March 10, 1887 at Aged 42 from her headstone, Magnolia Cemetery, Augusta, Georgia)