Person:William Knapp (11)

William Edward Knapp was born on 26 January 1834 in England. Two related stories have circulated in the family about William. One is that he came to America at the age of nine as a stow-away on a ship from London. The other story is that he actually was being sent to Australia but ended up in America either by jumping ship or by stowing away on a different ship. At that time, criminals and persons found guilty of lesser crimes like stealing a loaf of bread were shipped from England to Australia. His obituary says that at the age of 9 he came over on the ship of a sea captain friend of the family. According to the obituary he immigrated to Canada, went to Chicago and then St. Louis. Per obit was youngest of 9 children. His obituary also says that he the youngest of nine children and was born in “Romford, London” England. Romford is in metro London and part of the London borough of Havering. It is 12 miles from London and in Essex County, England. William was a farmer. He married Margaret Elizabeth O'Brien at St. Bridget of Erin Church in St. Louis, Missouri. They lived in Missouri (probably the St. Louis area) for several years before moving to Jersey County, Illinois. William applied for citizenship in Jersey County on 4 December 1866. He bought land in Jersey County on 26 February 1872. On 21 March 1900 he was walking along the train tracks when a train hit him. He was deaf and did not hear the train coming. William and his wife Margaret are buried at Beltrees (Catholic) Cemetery in Beltrees, Illinois. Beltrees is an area right outside of Elsah in Jersey County. He may be the Wm. Knapp who applied for citizenship Jersey Co. Dec. 4, 1866. Jersey Co. Jersey co. tax list of 1878 says he was a farmer in West Newburn Jersey County, IL.

Margaret O'Brien Knapp & William Knapp