Person:Tjeert Knot (4)

Early Years

Tjeert Hendricks Knot, third son of Hendrick Pieters Knot and Jantje Jans Knol, was born on the 23rd of January 1825, in the small village of Stitswerd, Groningen Province, the Netherlands.^[1] During the first two or three years of his life, he and his parents lived with his grandparents.^[2] Having an extended family living in the same house was unusual, and may have been a reflection of increasing economic pressures for ordinary people in the Netherlands at that time.

Tjeert received a basic education, sufficient that he could at least sign his name. By the time he was fourteen he was working, as was traditional for many young people, on a nearby farm. The farm was large, employing five other young people between the ages of 17 and 21, including his youngest uncle, Lambert Pieters Knot.^[4]. Sometime during the next ten years Tjeert found work as a servant in the home of a local landowner in Stitswerd. It was likely here that he met his future wife, Imke Willems Pesman, who worked as a farm maid for the same family.^[5]

Tjeert and Imke were married on the 19th of October 1852, with Tjeert’s mother and Imke’s father as witnesses. Tjeert and Imke remained in Stitswerd, where Tjeert worked as a day labourer. In many ways Tjeert and Imke probably lived much as Tjeert’s parents had, except that Imke also worked as a day labourer.^[6] Again, the fact that more and more women were working for income was another indication of increasing economic stress throughout the country. Economic stress is probably also why Tjeert’s brothers had all moved away from Stitswerd by about 1860, seeking employment in larger communities and cities. Tjeert and Imke were the last to leave, moving to Warffum in June of 1869 with a family of six children.^[7][8] Their oldest son, Hendrik, had already moved to Warffum to find work, and Tjeert had cousins there, the children of his mother’s youngest brother, Tjeert Jans Knol.

In Warffum, the family lived beside a canal, possibly three canals where they came together, and there they had a tavern. In the winter, skaters would stop for food and a drink, or even for new skates, since Tjeert made skates. During the rest of the year, boaters on the canal would stop.^[17][18]. Their oldest daughter, Grietje, although living at home, apparently added to the family income working as a tinker, someone who repairs tin utensils. The younger children, in the way of children everywhere, were curious about the world around them, and one day Imke found three of them, Willem, Jantje and Pieterke, sampling the remains left by tavern customers, including the sweetened alcohol in the bottom of the cups. Imke grabbed an axe and chopped down the tavern sign. Her children would not drink alcohol!^[18]

Emigration

Tjeert and Imke’s oldest son, Hendrick, was already in the United States and had written home urging his parents to join him. So they left Warffum early in 1873, traveling first to Liverpool, England. Liverpool was not an easy stop for everyone in the family. Willem, for one, was subjected to ridicule for his strange clothes and wooden shoes. Not the shyest of young boys, Willem promptly used the Edam cheese he was carrying to hit the other boy over the head.^[18]

In Liverpool Tjeert and family boarded the Wyoming for New York City. As they sailed into New York harbour on 15 May 1873, they were no doubt exhausted. Like so many immigrants, they had traveled steerage.^[9] The Wyoming was a new ship, barely two years old, and fast, averaging 10 days for a trip. But with over 1300 passengers in steerage, it would still have been crowded and miserable, with a babble of langages and a lack of privacy. Passengers came from Ireland and England, Germany, the Scandanavian countries, and France, as well as the Netherlands. Three died during the voyage, while one woman gave birth in the midst of the babble.^[19]

When Tjeert, Imke and family arrived in New York, they were not greeted by the Statue of Liberty, nor did they pass through Ellis Island, as neither yet existed. Instead, they would have gone through the old immigration centre known as Castle Garden. An old fort at the southern end of Manhatten, Castle Garden opened in 1855, to “process” arriving immigrants. Operated by the State of New York, it reflected changing attitudes towards immigrants, and remained in operation until 1890, when the Federal Government assumed responsibility for immigration. ^[20]

Chicago

From New York the family most likely took a train to Chicago, already recovering from the fire that devastated much of the city core in 1871. Tjeert may have found work there as a laborer for a year or two, living with his family in a small duplex at the back of a cottage at 813 S. Morgan. The neighborhood (now the Near West Side) was known as Groningen Quarter, with many residents having immigrated from Groningen province. Tjeert and family would have felt partially at home, surrounded by neighbors who spoke Dutch, and within easy walking distance of the First Dutch Reformed Church, the center of community life.^[10][21] Tjeert and Imke did change their names, to George and Emma, one of the few concessions they made to living in a new country. They had come to America not to become Americans, but to live a better life. They had no desire to give up their Dutch identity, and in this respect they were little different from other Dutch immigrants to Chicago in the latter part of the nineteenth century.^[16]

By the time George and Emma arrived, however, the area was becoming a destination for immigrants from eastern Europe, those for whom Jane Addams created Hull House near-by. It was probably not the better life they had envisioned when they emigrated. By 1880, George and Emma and three of their children were living west of Chicago in an area heavily populated by German immigrants, most of whom were farmers, and George was renting a farm. The older children continued to work in Chicago, while the baby, Jana, and another daughter, “little lame Anna”, had died^[11]

Minnesota

Even with the move out of the city centre, George and Emma were still not happy, and it wasn’t long before they moved again, this time to the settlement of Roseland in Minnesota, another community of Dutch immigrants. Here George and his son William were able to buy land. They bought from a land development company, based in Chicago, Minneapolis, and the Netherlands and supported by Chicago’s Dutch churches, that promoted a “Nieuwe Hollandsche Kolonie” near Olivia, Minnesota. In 1885, George and William purchased 320 acres of land.^[22]

As important as the land was, it was only part of a better life. By 1886 George, his family and neighbours, had organized a church, the Roseland Reformed Church. The first services were held in William’s barn. By 1890 they had built a church.^[23] During this time as well, George’s children, all except his oldest daughter Grace, settled near by, beginning and raising their own families.

George died 21 February 1897, at the age of 72, secure in his church and his community, having gained the better life he sought for himself and his children, the first in a long line to leave a landed estate.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Kantens Births, 1811-1825, in Kantens, Groningen, Netherlands. Burgerlijke Stand
   #5, 1825.

   In this year of 1825, on the 25th of January, Hendrik Pieters Knot, age 33 years, occupation day labourer, resident Stitswerd, on the 23rd, in the morning in Stitswerd in his house #18, his wife Jantje Jans Knol gave birth to Tjeert. Signed H. P. Knot, B[eerend] C[ornelis] Warnders, K[laas] E[verts] Spiek

2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Kantens Bevolkinsregister 1811-1840 , in Kantens, Groningen, Netherlands. Bevolkingsregister.

   1826 - #17 Stitswerd
   Pieter Hendriks Knot, . . . and family
   Hendrik Pieters Knot, , day labourer, Calvinist Reformed, born Stitswerd, 1792, 25 Dec., married
   Jantje Jans Knol, born Stitswerd, C. Reform
   Pieter, born Stitswerd, 1817, 2 Dec
   Jan, born Stitswerd, 1821, 13 March
   Tjeert, born Stitswerd, 1825, 23 Jan
   Jan, born Westerwydwost
   1829 - Stitswerd #17
   Knot, Hendrik Pieters,, age 37, born Stitswerd, married male, daylaborer, Protestant
   Knol, Jantje Jans, age 36, born Stitswerd, married female, daylaborer, Protestant
   Knot, Pieter Hendriks, age 11, born Stitswerd, single male, no occupation, Protestant
   Knot, Jan Hendriks, age 8, born Stitswerd, single male, no occupation, Protestant
   Knot, Tjeert Hendriks, age 4, born Stitswerd, single male, no occupation, Protestant
   Knot, Hendrik Hendriks , age [4 months], born Stitswerd, single male, no occupation, Protestant

3. ↑ Kantens Bevolkinsregister 1811-1840 , in Kantens, Groningen, Netherlands. Bevolkingsregister.

   1830 January
   Stitswerd #17, 1 family, 6 persons
   Knot, Hendrik Pieters, age 37, born Stitswerd, married male, day laborer, Protestant
   Knol, Jantje Jans, age 36, born Stitswerd, married female, day laborer, Protestant
   Knot, Pieter Hendriks, age 11, born Stitswerd, single male, no occupation
   Knot, Jan Hendriks, age 7, born Stitswerd, single male
   Knot, Tjeert Hendriks, age 4, born Stitswerd, single male
   Knot, Hendrik Hendriks, age 1/4, born Stitswerd, single male

4. ↑ ^4.0 4.1 Kantens Bevolkinsregister 1811-1840, in Kantens, Groningen, Netherlands. Bevolkingsregister.

   1840 (January)
   Wellema, Trientje Heefels, age 39, born Nieuw Beerta, married female, no occupation, Protestant
   Pesman, Hendrikus Hiddes, age 9, born Stitswerd, single male
   Pesman, H
   Stitswerd #10, 1 family, 13 people
   Pesman, Hidde Henderikus, age 44, . . . landbouwer, . . . and family
   Kolstein, Jacob Jans, 20, . . . single male, boerenknegt,
   Knot, Lambertus Pieters, age 20, . . . boerenknegt,
   Huizinga, Gerrit Alberts, age 17, . . . boerenknegt,
   Knot, Tjeerd Hendriks, age 14, born Stitswerd, single male, boerenknegt, Protestant
   Bloem, Aaltje Berends, age 21, . . . boerenmaid,
   Wibbens, Dorktje Pieters, age 20, . . . boerenmaid,

5. ↑ ^5.0 5.1 Kantens Bevolkingsregister 1850-1860, in Kantens, Groningen, Netherlands. Bevolkingsregister
   p. 233.

   Stitswerd,
   Venhuis, Alje Willems, born 1811 in Eppenhuise, married then widowed (1861), Ned Hers religion, occupation land[owner]...
   7 others
   Knot, Tjeert Hendriks, born 1825, Stitswerd, unmarried, Ned Hers religion, occupation workbode, permanent resident
   Pesman, Imke Willems, born 1829 in Thesinge, unmarried, Ned Hers religion, farm maid, temporary resident
   with untranslated note re: Tjeert Knot and Imke Pesman

6. ↑ ^6.0 6.1 Kantens Bevolkingsregister 1850-1860, in Kantens, Groningen, Netherlands. Bevolkingsregister
   Stitswerd, p. 456.

   Stitswerd, No. 27
   Knot, Tjeert Hendrik, born 1825 in Stitswerd, married, Ned hers religion, occupation day labourer, permanent resident, former residence Stitswerd 42
   Pesman, Imke Willems, born 1829, Thesinge, married, Ned Hers religion, occupation day labourer, permanent resident, former residence Stitswerd 42
   Knot, Hendrik, born 30 November 1852 in Stitswerd, unmarried, Ned Hers religion, no occupation, permanent resident
   Knot, Jantje, born 6 February 1859 in Stitswerd, unmarried, Ned Hers religion, no occupation, permanent resident
   Knot, Willem, born 26 April 1861 in Stitswerd, unmarried, Ned Hers religion, no occupation, permanent resident

7. ↑ ^7.0 7.1 Kantens Bevolkinsregister 1860-1937, in Kantens, Groningen, Netherlands. Bevolkingsregister
   p. 49.

   Knot, Tjeert Hendriks, male, head, born 23 January 1825 in Kantens, married, Ned Hers religion, occupation day labourer, house B. 27, departed 12 June 1869 for Warffum
   Pesman, Emke Willems, female, wife, born 23 Sept. 1830 in Ten Boer, married, Ned Hers religion, departed 12 June 1869 for Warffum
   Knot, Hendrik, male, son, born 30 November 1852 in Kantens, Ned Hers religion
   Knot, Grietje, female, daughter, born 8 October 1855 in Kantens, Ned Hers religion, departed 12 June 1869 for Warffum
   Knot, Jantje, female, daughter, bor 6 Febr. 1857 in Kantens, Ned Hers religion, departed 12 June 1869 for Warffum
   Knot, Willem, male, son, born 26 April 1861 in Kantens, Ned Hers religion, departed 12 June 1869 for Warffum
   Knot, Anje, female, daughter, born 19 Oct. 1863 in Kantens, Ned Hers religion, departed 12 June 1869 for Warffum
   Knot, Klaas, male, son, born 1 April 1869 in Kantens, Ned Hers religion, departed 12 June 1869 for Warffum

8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1 8.2} Warffum Bevolkingsregister 1860-1880, in Warffum (Groningen). Bevolkingsregisters. Registers der bevolking, 1860-1900. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1968)
   Book 2, Page 95.

   Knot, Tjeert Hendrikes, [and family] house No. 5, arrived 12 June 1869 from Kantens, left 1873 for North America

9. ↑ ^9.0 9.1 Swierenga, Robert P. Dutch immigrants in U.S. ship passenger manifests, 1820-1880: an alphabetical listing by household heads and independent persons. (Wilmington, Delaware: Scholarly Resources, c1983)
   p. 512.

   Knot, T, husband, male, age 48, occupation laborer, destination USA, from Holland, on board ship Wyoming, arrived May 15, 1873, embarked from Liverpool, England, arrived New York, traveled steerage (National Archive Film Series 237, Reel 375)
   Knot, T, nee Passman [sic], wife, female, age 44, housewife
   Knot, Grietje, daughter, female, age 17, occupation tinker
   Knot, Janita, daughter, female, age 11
   Knot, Willem, son, male, age 10
   Knot, Ange, son [sic], male, age 7
   Knot, Klass, daughter, female, age 4
   Knot, Pieterke, daughter, female, age 4
   Knot, Janna, daughter, female, age 2
   [Note: In New York Passenger Lists, Ancestry.com, indexed as T. Inet; not indexed in Castle Garden web page]

10. ↑ ^10.0 10.1 Edwards' Sixteenth Annual Directory of the Inhabitants . . . of Chicago . . . for 1873; FHL #1000741 , in Chicago City Directories. (Tucson, Arizona: W.C. Cox, 1974).

    Knott, George, labourer, rear 813 S. Morgan
    [Note: This is in the heart of the Groningen Quarter of Chicago at that time. In 1909, 813 S. Morgan became 324 A South Morgan. See: 1909 Chicago Street Renumbering, p.103. (accessed 19 February 2015)]

11. ↑ ^11.0 11.1 Proviso Township, Cook County, Illinois , in United States. 1880 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T9)
    E.D. 210, p. 46, HH 456.

    Knott, George, white male, age 55, married, farmer, cannot read, cannot write, born Holland, both parents born Holland
    Emma, white, female, age 50, wife, married, keeping house, cannot write, born Holland, both parents born Holland
    William, white male, age 18, son, at home, born Holland
    Nicklous, white male, age 11, son, at school, born Holland
    Bertha, white female, age 14, daughter, at home, born Holland

12. ↑ Swierenga, Robert P. Dutch Chicago : a history of the Hollanders in the Windy City. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Pub., c2002)
    p. 565.
13. ↑ Kandiyohi, Roseland, in Minnesota. Census Bureau. State census, 1895. (St. Paul [Minnesota]: State Library and Records Service, 1969)
    p. 3.

    PO Wilmar
    Knott, George, 64, white male, born Holland, lived in Minnesota10 years, in present civil registration district 10 years, farmer, both parents foreign born
    , Emma, 61, white female, b. Holland, wife, both parents foreign born
    , Nicolas, 25, white male, b. Holland, farmer, both parents foreign born
    , Fred, 19, white male, b. Illinois, farmer, both parents foreign born
    Decker, Albert, 39, white male, b. Holland, lived in Minnesota 3 years, . . . and family

14. ↑ Death Register, Roseland Twp., Kandiyohi County, Minnesota.

    George Knott, male, white, married; Date of death, 21 February 1897, age 72 years 28 days; occupation farmer
    Cause of death: criebral Embolism of bowels; born Holland, father and mother born Holland
    Father: H. Knott; Mother: Jennie Knott; Attending Physician, M. A. Sinley

15. ↑ ^15.0 15.1 Probate Records for George Henry Knott, from Court Administrator, Willmar, Minnesota.

    15 April 1897, Roseland, MN - In the matter of the estate of George Knott, Deceased. The petition of Emke Knott of Roseland, Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, represents that George Knott late of Roseland, died Sunday the 21st day of February 1897; The names ages and residences of the heirs and devisees of the decent so far as known are as follows:
    Emke Knott, Prinsburg, MN, age 67 years
    Mrs. Jennie Huisinga, Prinsburg Minn, age 38 years
    H. G. Knott, Prinsburg, MN, 44 years
    Nellie Korteling, Chicago, IL, 41 years
    Bertha Bruss, Prinsburg, MN, 29 years
    Fred Knott, Olivia, MN, 22 years
    N. T. Knott, Olivia, MN, 27 years
    Wm. Knott, Raymond, MN, 36 years.
    . . . . George wrote a will leaving all of his property, real and personal, to his wife. Probate was completed 7 March 1898

16. ↑ ^16.0 16.1 AlleGroningers. (Regionaal Historisch Centrum - Groninger Archieven).

    Emigrant Tjeert Knot
    48 jaar daglooner
    Vertrek uit Warffum
    Vertrek naar Noord-Amerika
    Datum vertrek 1873
    Religie Nederlands Hervormd
    Vrouw 1
    Kinderen 7
    Reden van vertrek Verbetering van bestaan [Reason for leaving Bettering existence]
    Welgestelden, Mindergegoeden, Behoeftigen Mindergegoeden
    Hoofdelijke omslag Ja, in de 66e klasse
    Bron Staat van landverhuizers in 1873 Groningen (Provincie)
    (toegang 2-04-23-02) Inventarisnummer 26-I

17. ↑ Tricia McGillivray, email 12 March 1994, quoting her grandfather Arthur Korteling, who remembered his grandmother Grace/Grietje said that the family lived where three canals formed a triangle, one from Ondendam [Onderdendum], one from Warffum, one fram Baffeld [Bafflo]
18. ↑ ^{18.0 18.1 18.2} Ekblad, Gerri Knott, compiler, “The Knott Family History 1880’s and 1900s.” TS, 1995.
19. ↑ For the Ship Wyoming, see “Ships Named Wyoming”, Wyoming Tales and Trails”. (accessed 7 Feb 2014) (includes photo); and the Guion Line, Norway Heritage, (accessed 7 Feb 2014); for conditions in steerage, see Steerage (deck), Wikipedia. (accessed 7 Feb 2014). For details of this voyage, see Ancestry.com. New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 , Roll 375. (accessed 7 Feb 2014).
20. ↑ History & Culture, Castle Clinton National Monument, National Park Service. (accessed 8 Nov 2014); Castle Clinton, Wikipedia. (accessed 8 Nov 2014)
21. ↑ Swierenga, Robert P., ‘’Dutch Chicago A History of the Hollanders in the Windy City’’. William B. Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2002. Pp. 9 and ff.; Swierenga, Robert P., “The Groninger Hoek: Chicago’s West Side Dutch”, Talk for Senior Citizen Fellowship, Fath Christian Reformed Church, Elmhurst, IL, Oct. 26, 1999. (accessed 19 February 2015); “Dutch”, Encyclopedia of Chicago, (accessed 19 February 2015)
22. ↑ Swierenga, Robert P.,’’Dutch Chicago’’, William B. Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2002. p. 565
23. ↑ S., Chad, "Church History", Roseland Reformed Church. (accessed 2 April 2015)