Person talk:William Knowlton (1)

Romantic tales and other myths [28 October 2010]

Dr. Stocking's History and genealogy of the Knowltons of England and America (1897) presents a romantic tale of a Capt. William Knowlton who died on the voyage from England to New England and was buried in Nova Scotia in 1632 (or maybe 1639). He lists 4 sons: John of Ipswich, William of Ipswich, Deacon Thomas of Ipswich, and Samuel (of Hingham). Modern DNA evidence has shown that John and William were, in fact, not brothers.

Stocking gives the name of the widow of Capt. William as Ann Elizabeth Smith - although it would have been unusual for someone to have two Christian names at that time. This most likely results from a confusion between an Elizabeth married to one William Knowlton and an Ann married to another. The Errata and addenda to Dr. Stocking's History and genealogy of the Knowltons of England and America, by George Henry Knowlton (1903) describes a William Nolton (or perhaps Norton) of Hingham, who was granted certain rights in Hingham from 1635 to 1637, who died 6 Jun 1639, and whose widow Ann married John Tucker 11 Jun 1649. He goes on to suggest that this may have been the Capt. William Knowlton who supposedly is buried in Nova Scotia (in 1632 or maybe 1639)! (He published his book with Stocking's approval, so maybe it was Stocking who was unwilling to give up the connection to Capt. William.)

Most likely, there were 2, possibly unrelated, William Knowltons - one who died in Ipswich in 1655 and one who died in Hingham in 1639. The first married an Elizabeth and the second an Ann, both widowed on the deaths of their respective husbands. There may or may not have been a Capt. William Knowlton who was buried in Nova Scotia, but, if so, there is no evidence (other than "tradition") to tie him to either William Knowlton in New England, nor to John, Thomas or Samuel Knowlton.

Stocking's book (page 21) lists a Nathaniel, son of William and Elizabeth. G.H. Knowlton's errata and addenda (page 3) indicate that he was a "myth; there was no such person".

There are many other errors in Stocking's book - it should never be used as a source without also consulting G.H. Knowlton's errata and addenda. --DataAnalyst 21:31, 27 October 2010 (EDT)