Person:Henry Knight (193)

BIOGRAPHY: Genealogical and Family History of the State of Connecticut: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding of a Nation. Volume III

Knight 

(II) Dr. Henry Martyn Knight , son of Rev. Joseph Knight , was born at Stafford, Connecticut . August 11, 1827 , and died at Fernandina, Florida , January 22, 1880 . His boyhood was passed in the pure and healthful atmosphere, moral and physical, which surrounded the home of the good preacher, and the steadfast adherence to duty that characterized the father was inherited by the son. The strict economy of the country minister, who had a salary of $500 upon which to support eight children, tended to develop self-reliance, energy and ambition. He realized that to gain a liberal education he must depend largely upon his own efforts. He attended the district schools at Stafford and Granby , and at the age of sixteen entered Williston Seminary at Easthampton, Massachusetts . His vacations were occupied in teaching school, and while in charge of the school at Norfolk he met Mary Fitch Phelps , whom he afterward married. He did not graduate from the seminary. In 1847 he commenced the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Smith , of Monson, Massachusetts , and continued with Dr. Miner , of South Braintree , that state, and in 1849 was graduated after a course of study in the Berkshire Medical College at Pittsfield, Massachusetts . Soon afterward he located at Stafford Springs and began to practice his profession, having charge also of a drug-store and the post office. In November, 1850 , he came to Lakeville and entered partnership with Dr. Benjamin Welch , then a noted surgeon and general practitioner. He was actively engaged in the work of his profession until the current of his life-work was changed in the direction of the care of weak and feeble-minded children. He was ever ready to respond to the calls of the suffering, knowing no difference in this respect between rich and poor. He fairly earned the title of the "beloved physician." In 1854 he was elected to the general assembly of the state, and in 1855 served on a committee to ascertain the number of imbecile children in the state. His previous study of this unfortunate class and the knowledge acquired in the course of his work on this commission inspired him with the idea of founding that school, which is his best monument. In 1856 he presented his plans to the legislature and asked that the state establish a school similar to those already conducted by Massachusetts, Pennsylvania , and other states. The measure passed in the house, and was lost in the senate by one vote. Defeated but not discouraged, the doctor retired from general practice in 1858 and opened his own house for the instruction of feeble-minded and backward children. In due time, with meagre aid from the state, he was enabled in 1863 to erect a more suitable building, which has since been enlarged, and at the time of his death in 1880 he had about eighty pupils of various ages gathered in an orderly, comfortable and happy community. The state has never been liberal nor progressive along the line of promoting education among imbecile and backward children, although buildings have been erected by the state and aid provided for the indigent. Legislative committees that have visited the institution have always recommended liberal support. Dr. Knight published annual reports of the condition of the inmates and the results of education, and lavished upon the school a tenderness and force of character that, if expended in some other line of activity, would have won him a prominent place in political or professional life. Cunningly, tenderly, in the care of his pupils, the doctor would feel about all the dull gateways of their minds, until at last, in every case, some way of approach, however difficult, would be found, and then, with intelligent attention to the special needs of the individual, he proceeded to enlighten the darkened soul. It was his life work, and he brought to it all the strength, firmness, decision, benevolence, charity and skill of a physician. The school became well known throughout the state and nation. He won the admiration and support of his townsmen, the sympathy and co-operation of the medical profession at large. In times of discouragement a few faithful friends stood by him, cheered and supported him. He won a national reputation in his special field of education, and his help came to be sought by other states preparing to establish similar schools. In England he was known even better than in his own country. When he was entering upon the fruition of his plans and hopes he was suddenly taken away by death, and it fell to others to carry on and develop his plans and purposes. Endowed by nature with a splendid physique and the promise of a great length of days, he had that nervous, ardent, impetuous temperament which lavishes itself on the moment and consumes itself prematurely. In 1874 he was keenly interested in the temperance movement, and delivered in many places a lecture, illustrated by colored plates, showing the effect of alcohol on the human stomach. Greatly exhausted and suffering from violent pains in the head, he insisted, however, on keeping an engagement to speak at New Britain , though he was so ill that he could not even see his audience while speaking. An attack of cerebrospinal meningitis followed and he never fully recovered. Early in the year 1880 , unable to meet the demands made upon him by the school and a multitude of other interests, he sought rest and strength in Florida , at Onovo , on the upper St. John's river . He fell violently ill on the way and died at Fernandina , January 22 . His loss was felt in many places--in the church, where he gave the service of an earnest and faithful Christian; in the community, where he was so universally loved and respected, and in every avenue of charity and benevolence in the vicinity of his home. He was for many years deacon of the Congregational church and superintendent of the Sunday school.

A Sedgwick Genealogy Descendants of Deacon Benjamin Sedgwick Compiled by Hubert M. Sedgwick New Haven Colony Historical Society New Haven, Connecticut 1961 Page 62

The Connecticut Magazine Volume VIII Edited by Francis Trevelvan Miller Hartford, Conn.: 1903 - 1904 - Page 368

  Dr. Henry M. Knight came to Lakeville in 1851 from his birthplace, Stafford Springs, this state. His work was the amelioration of the condition of one class of mental and physical unfortunates, and from his untiring labors grew the Connecticut School for Imbeciles.

The Connecticut Magazine Volume VIII Edited by Francis Trevelvan Miller Hartford, Conn.: 1903 - 1904 - Page 731

  Yet another physician specialist, or alienist, of this county, Dr. H. M. Knight, opened a home for the feebleminded, which became noted widely because of his wise study of his speciality, and his eminent success in the treatment of those under his charge.

Williston Seminary, Easthampton, Mass. Alumni Records From 1842 to 1874 Compiled by Joseph H. Sawyer 1875 - Page 75 Henry M. Knight (Peru).- Born in Stafford, Conn., August 11, 1827; graduated from Berkshire Medical College, 1849; practiced medicine until 1858, when he became superintendent of Connecticut School for Imbeciles; member of Connecticut General Assembly, 1855; received honorary diploma from Medical Society of State of New York, in 1869, and from Medical Society of State of California, 1872; author of paper on “Hallucinations of Childhood;” married October 2, 1851; two sons; see No. 1108. Address, Lakeville, Conn.

CENSUS: 1860 United States Federal Census Name: Henry M Knight Age in 1860: 32 Birth Year: abt 1828 Birthplace: Connecticut Home in 1860: Salisbury, Litchfield, Connecticut Gender: Male Post Office: Lakeville Household Members: Name Age Henry M Knight 32 Mary F Knight 30 Robert P Knight 7 George H Knight 4 Sarah Phelps 26 Charlotte Mars 61 Catharine Nelly 18 Francis J Young 17 Thomas Crooks 14 Lewis Goldsmith 19 Wm T Wash 17 Wm Kellogg 16 Edward J Lawrence 24 J M L Scoville 10 Rosa M Robert 11 James E Kelly 3 Charles S Burns 11 Albert Judd 15 Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: Salisbury, Litchfield, Connecticut; Roll: M653_82; Page: 1014; Image: 431.

1870 United States Federal Census Name: Henry A Knight Estimated Birth Year: abt 1830 Age in 1870: 40 Birthplace: Massachusetts Home in 1870: New Haven Ward 1, New Haven, Connecticut Race: White Gender: Male Post Office: New Haven Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: New Haven Ward 1, New Haven, Connecticut; Roll: M593_109; Page: 85; Image: 172.