Person:Francis Knight (42)

CENSUS: 1850 United States Federal Census Name: Francis L Knight Age: 34 Estimated birth year: abt 1816 Birth Place: New York Gender: Male Home in 1850 (City,County,State): Collins, Erie, New York Source Citation: Year: 1850; Census Place: Collins, Erie, New York; Roll: M432_499; Page: 296; Image: 267.

1860 United States Federal Census Name: Francis L Knight Age in 1860: 44 Birth Year: abt 1816 Birthplace: New York Home in 1860: Collins, Erie, New York Gender: Male Post Office: Collins Center Household Members: Name Age Francis L Knight 44 Nancy M Knight 39 Stephen F Knight 21 Ella M Knight 9 Jasper Lveret 23 Mary Rush 23 Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: Collins, Erie, New York; Roll: M653_751; Page: 126; Image: 131.

1870 United States Federal Census Name: Francis Knight Estimated birth year: abt 1817 Age in 1870: 53 Birthplace: New York Home in 1870: Collins, Erie, New York Race: White Gender: Male Post Office: Collins Center Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Collins, Erie, New York; Roll: M593_930; Page: 108; Image: 217.

BIOGRAPHY: HISTORY OF SCRABBLE HILL Hardy Pioneers Who Came from The East by Oxcart or Afoot To Carve Homes Out of Tangled Wilderness By Carlotta Wood and Nora Johnson Brown August 26, 1937 Contributed by Marilyn Bobseine <[email protected]>

Mills on Yaw Brook Not far from the Tucker's cabin stood another log-house which in this time attracted successive tenants-Henry Moore at one period and lastly, Andrew Olsen. East of this hut on Yaw brook was a mill built by Jesse Frye. The old frame and parts of the dam were standing as late as 1877. Cary Adams and Francis Knight built another dam and sawmill on this brook in 1837. To ensure sufficient water to operate the mill, they reinforced the old Beaver dam on lot 83 and in times of need availed themselves of this extra supply.

Collins Center M. E. Church Since Its Beginning as a Methodist Society About 1823, This Has passed Through more Than a Century of Success and Happiness, Trials Tribulations By Carlotta Wood and Nora Johnson Brown October 16, 1936 Contributed by Marilyn Bobseine <[email protected]>

"Buckwheat Note" Music The old four and a half-octave "Prince" organ, which was anathema to the outgoing members, was played by Catrie Andrews Bailey or Martinetta Reynolds from the "buckwheat note" music in an old fashioned hymn book. Among those whose voices accompanied it were Emily Atwood, Cynthia Bartlett, Emma Parkinson, Stephen Knight, Burke Parkinson, Squire Perry, and Wallace Bailey. The out-moded organ was replaced in 1888 by an up- to-date model donated by Mrs. Portia Conger. Alice Bailey was now the organist and, later, Carrie Holton Beverly. This instrument gave place in 1891 to the piano which was relegated to the basement when, in 1932, Mrs. Rose Mueller's class of young girls, through selling candy and home- prepared horse-radish, purchased the one now in use. This class of courageous and persistent vendors was comprised of Doris Hunter, Miriam and Mary Wealthy Potter, Norma Shutt, Mary Opal Mason and Rita Hauri. The little replica of the church, made by Martin Butler Potter and placed near the door to receive contributions in depression days, as fashioned from a piece of the 1888 organ.

About the time the M. E. church was losing members to the Free Methodists, the volume of its attendance was threatened from another quarter: a society, interested in future rewards and no punishments, was gaining ground in the community .The year that the Free Methodists built their church, the following entry appeared in the Methodist minute book:

" A special meeting was held Sept. 1st, 1866, to consider the application of the Universalist Society for the use of our house. The following preamble and resolutions were adopted unanimously: Whereas, the Universalist Society of this place, having no place in which to worship and intending to build a church as soon as convenient, desires to occupy ours till they can procure another place. Resolved, that we grant them the privilege of occupying the church for the purpose of holding a two-day's meeting on the 11th and the 12th of September. Resolved, that we grant them the privilege of holding religious services on each alternate Sabbath until March, 1867, provided that such service shall commence at 2 p. m. and close in time for our evening service. On motion, resolved, that our clerk present a copy of our resolutions to the Universalist Society Francis Knight, Clerk".

BIOGRAPHY: History of the Original Town of Concord being the present towns of Concord, Collins, No. Collins and Sardina. Erie County, New York By Erasmus Briggs 1881

Francis L. Knight

1845 - Tax Assessor for the Town of Collins

LAND: History of the Original Town of Concord being the present towns of Concord, Collins, No. Collins and Sardina. Erie County, New York By Erasmus Briggs 1881 Page 163 The Early Land Owners Names of Persons Buying Land from the Holland Compay.

Township Six, Range Seven Name Date Land Acres Price Francis Knight 1838, Mar. 2. pt I 14 84 336

History of the Original Town of Concord Being the present towns of Concord, Collins, N. Collins and Sardinia, Erie County, New York By Erasmus Briggs Rochester, N.Y. Union and Advertiser Company's Print. 1883 Deeds Given by the Holland Company Collins Township Six - Range Eight LOT ACRES SUBDIVISION DATE OF DEED NAME 60 161 n pt Jan. 9 1836 Orton J. Knight 53 63 s-e pt Nov. 16, 1835 Orton J. Knight 53 42 e m pt Dec. 3, 1829 Avery Knight 53 29 n pt Oct. 6, 1835" Avery Knight Township Six - Range Seven 84 53 s-e pt Sept. 24, 1834 Nathaniel Knight 84 84 e m pt Mar. 10, 1841 Francis L. Knight 85 135 m pt April 28, 1837 Orton J. Knight