Person:Ralph Knight (53)

BIOGRAPHY: "New Woodstock and Vicinity Past and Present" by Ellsworth and Richmond, page 14. ""Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Smith in 1803 adopted Ralph Knight, born December 18, 1796, said to be the oldest white male child born in the town. His parents were Noel and Martha Knight. He was the second of seven children. His birthplace was on the Sheds Corners road and he was the only one of the family remaining in New Woodstock until his death in 1872. He married in 1823 Olive Ackley. They had six children. Two died in infancy..."." Book "New Woodstock and Vicinity Past and Present" by Mrs. Anzolette D. Ellsworth and Miss Mary E. Richmond on page 14. A carpenter by trade (per 1850 NY Census).

The 1850 NY Census has his surname as "Kight" instead of "Knight". This also applies to those living in his household which includes Olive, James, and Ralph Jr. They are on pages 105 or 106 of the 1850 NY Census in Cazenovia Township.

In the 1870 Census right under Ralph and Olive (ACKLEY) KNIGHT, there is a Horatio KNIGHT (born 1841-1842 in NY) with wife, Lavinia (born: 1849-1850 in NY). They have one child, Minnie KNIGHT (born April 1870 in NY). Horatio KNIGHT is a blacksmith and has a shop, perhaps on Ralph KNIGHT's property. There is also a Cornelia KNIGHT, age 54, (born 1815-1816 in NY) living with them. This is a mystery.

From the LDS IGI File: "Horatio KNIGHT Sex:Â M Event(s): Born:Â 1841 Onondaga', 'New York Parents: ? ,Source Information: Film Number: 1903876".

Ralph Knight was mentioned in a book titled "History of Madison County - State of New York" on page 240. The book mentions that he is still living in 1869 and is the oldest native of New Woodstock alive by that year. It also confirms his birthplace of New Woodstock, Madison County, NY and birth date of Dec. 18, 1796.

New Woodstock is in Southern Cazenovia Township. He is listed in a late 1800's publication on the history of New Woodstock and was said to be eccentric because he often didn't wear a coat to church in the middle of winter. He was a carpenter by trade.

Ralph Knight's middle initial could be "G".

From RALPH KNIGHT's FAMILY BIBLE:

2. Ralph Knight's Family Bible. "(including top and bottom text in Ralph Knight's handwriting) (top): "New Woodstock the 19th of June ad 1821" "Ralph Knight was Born Dec 18th 1796" (bottom): (signature (underlined)) "Ralph Knight" (no quotes)."

Noel KNIGHT was Born Dec. 2, 1769 Died February 7th, 1833 in his 64th year Martha (WHITE) KNIGHT was Born Nov 1st 1774 Died the 7th of March 1815 Gorton KNIGHT was Born July 26th 1793 Ralph KNIGHT was Born Dec 18th 1796 Phila KNIGHT was Born March 7th 1801, died Dec. 16, 1863 William (abbreviated Wm.) KNIGHT was Born August 25th, 1803, died December 7th, 1841 in his 39th year. George KNIGHT was Born Oct. 28th 1809 Charles KNIGHT was Born --- Died young Martha KNIGHT was Born the 15th of February 1815 Died May 21st 1841 in her 27th year.

(signed) Ralph Knight"

The Family Bible entries above are confirmed by a book on the descendants of Banfield Capron by Frederick A. Holden published in 1858. The original page is owned by Harold S. Knight . Various family members, including myself, Chris G. Knight, have photocopies.

Estes Genealogies 1097 - 1893 Compiled by Charles Estes, of Warren, Rhode Island. Eben Putnam, Publisher. Salem, Mass. 1894 - Page 202

MEDIA: J0020 - The photograph of Ralph Knight is from the collection of Chris Knight http://www.genealogy.com/users/k/n/i/Christian-G-Knight/

CENSUS: 1850 United States Federal Census Name: Ralph Hight Age: 53 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1797 Birth Place: New York Gender: Male Home in 1850(City,County,State): Cazenovia, Madison, New York Household Members: Name Age James Hight 24 Olive Hight 46 Ralph Hight 18 Ralph Hight 53 Source Citation: Year: 1850; Census Place: Cazenovia, Madison, New York; Roll: M432_526; Page: 105; Image: 213.

1860 United States Federal Census Name: Ralph Knight Age in 1860: 65 Birth Year: abt 1795 Birthplace: New York Home in 1860: Cazenovia, Madison, New York Gender: Male Post Office: New Woodstock Household Members: Name Age Ralph Knight 65 Olive Knight 57 Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: Cazenovia, Madison, New York; Roll: M653_780; Page: 18; Image: 20.

1870 United States Federal Census Name: Ralph Knight Estimated birth year: abt 1797 Age in 1870: 73 Birthplace: New York Home in 1870: Cazenovia, Madison, New York Race: White Gender: Male Post Office: Cazenovia Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Cazenovia, Madison, New York; Roll: M593_967; Page: 69; Image: 138.