Tale of Two Johns…

 

 

John Knox of Caldwell Station…and McDowell Creek

 

When I visited my cousin Wilson Knox back in October of 1999, he took me on a “tour” of Caldwell Station home sites, including the home where my Grandparents once lived on the “Old Statesville Road.”  Nearby stood a stately white house now occupied by our cousin, Sarah Mills Knox, the great granddaughter of “Old” John and Mary B. Knox. 

 

 

 

Sarah Mills Knox and John "Wilson" Knox, Jr

on the "back stoop" at Sarah's Home in "Caldwell Station"

Huntersville, North Mecklenburg, NC

October 1999

 

 

The house is very old – Wilson says more than “100 years old”…  It once was the home of Samuel Edward Knox and his wife, Mary Ann Blakely.  Their son Robert Neal Knox married Martha Mills Steele.  Robert and Martha were Sarah’s parents.  The land this home occupies was once owned by “my” John Knox and had been passed down to the current generation!  The Knox family has continuously occupied this land in North Mecklenburg since John first purchased it.  What a wonderful treasure!

 

Hmmm…BLAKELY?…STEELE?…where have I seen those names together before??? 

 

I recalled John Knox #2’s 1853 LWT, which stated:  “I give and bequeath to my Eldest Son, Robert J Wilson [Knox] One Hundred and Twenty Six [126] Acres of Land Known by the name of the BLAKELY place on which he now lives and has a deed for the same…”. 

 

Seven years earlier, in March 1846, John Knox #2 “sold” to his son his tract of 126 acres on the headwaters of McDowell Creek adjoining lands of William [Graham] Potts and John [Milton] Alexander and a “swamp”…  

 

[One side note about this transaction and John's LWT:  I wondered how John could “bequeath” land to Robert if Robert already had a deed to it.  The answer is that the 1846 purchase price was probably paid by Robert to his father as a note or “loan” to Robert, therefore John’s estate still had a financial interest in the property.   John’s LWT bequest served to cancel or forgive Robert’s mortgage debt.]

 

Forty-six years earlier, in July 1800, John Knox #1 bought from his brother-in-law, Samuel Wilson, 384 acres on McDowell Creek, adjoining Martin STEELE, Adam Meek, Dunlap, and William Hill. 

 

My subsequent research confirmed that both Martin Steele and Rebecca Blakely were Sarah’s ancestors...  My next question: Were they also John Knox’s neighbors on the headwaters of McDowell Creek after July 1800?

 

 

 

 

   Mecklenburg Co, NC Tax Lists

 

In the “between” years, when Federal Census records are not available, Tax Lists can be helpful in locating households within a “tax community” which was organized by the Captains heading Militia Companies. North Carolina laws regard who and what was taxable changed over time, and the minimum age of a free white male "poll" was increased from 16 to 21:

 

By 1784, the definition of a poll was "freeman and male servants 21 years old and upwards, and slaves male and female between the age of 12 and 50 years."  A law of 1801 exempted free males over the age of 50, and in 1817 the upper age limit was lowered to 45.  This was the law in North Carolina until 1835 when a state constitutional amendment permanently established "taxable" age - "all free males over the age of 21 years, and under the age of 45 years, and all slaves over the age of 12 years and under the age of 50 years, shall be subject to capitation (poll) tax, and no other person shall be subject to such tax; provided that nothing herein contained shall prevent exemptions of taxable polls as heretofore prescribed by law in cases of bodily infirmity."  [quotes from "NC Research: Genealogy & Local History", Chapter 14, Raymond A Winslow, Jr; NCGS, 1996; page 232]

 

The 1798 and 1799 Tax Lists confirm John, son of Patrick was in Mecklenburg, but he does not appear to be living on the “headwaters” of McDowell Creek. 

 

The “headwaters” of McDowell Creek neighbors [James Curry, Absalom Duckworth, Robert Dunlap, Alexander Gillespie, Joseph Gillespie, John Henderson, Joseph Maxwell, James Meek, John Osborn, Robert Potts, David Smith, Samuel Wilson and William Wilson among others] appear in Captain Matthew Hart’s Company [page 61]; however, there are no Knoxes listed among them.

 

1798 Tax List of Mecklenburg County, NC -  Captain A. Cathey's Company

(pages 47 & 48, included the following property owners, among others...)

 

Property Owner

# Acres,

# White Males 21-50,

# All Blacks 12-50

My Comments

Alexander, Amos

268 A, WP-1, BP-4

grandfather of Amos Alfred Alexander who m. Margaret Knox, dau of John and Mary B. Knox

Black, Thomas

200  A, WP-2, BP-2

 

Bailey, Francis

325  A, WP-1, BP-1

 

Cathey, Archibald

1220  A, WP-2, BP-6

 

Davidson, John

600  A, WP-0, BP-12

 

Henderson, Wm Sr

300 A, WP-0,BP-3

 

Henderson, Wm

265 A, WP-0, BP-3

 

Henderson, John

0 A, WP-1, BP-0

 

Hill, William

590 A, WP-2, BP-0

 

Johnston, Patrick

328 A, WP-1, BP-2

among first Ruling Elders at Bethel in1829

Johnston, James

200 A, WP-0, BP-0

 

Jetton, Lewis

780 A, WP-1, BP-0

grandfather of Martha Nantz Jetton  who m. R. J. W. Knox

Irwin, Samuel

350 A, WP-1, BP 1

 

Knox, Allison

147 A, WP-1, BP-0

stepfather of John Knox, son of Capt Patrick Knox

KNOX, JOHN

344 A, WP-1, BP-0

son of Captain Patrick Knox

[first tax list appearance - age 21 in 1798; therefore, b. 1777]

Meek, James

200 A, WP-1-BP-0

 

Potts, Jonathon

274  A, WP-1, BP-1

 

Torrence, Hugh

1322  A, WP-2, BP-8

co-Exc of Estate of Capt James Knox

Wiley, William

130  A, WP-1, BP-0

 

Wilson, Benjamin

430 A, WP-1, BP-2

son of Samuel Wilson Sr

Wilson, Robert

216 A, WP-1, BP-0

son of Samuel Wilson Sr

Wilson, Margaret

216  A, WP-1, BP-1

Margaret Jack, 3rd wife and widow of Samuel Wilson Sr

Wilson, David

275  A, WP-1, BP-0

Major David Wilson, brother of Saml Jr; also fought at Battle of Ramseur's Mill with Captain Patrick Knox who was killed

[Source: Herman W. & Ralph B. Ferguson, Mecklenburg Co, NC Tax Lists, page 19]

 

 

 

Mecklenburg Tax Lists: 1800-1824

 

The Tax lists below support the thesis of one John Knox on the “headwaters of McDowell Creek” after John’s 1800 purchase of 384 acres... John's age range appears correct in 1798, 1806 and 1824, but in error in the interim years, when John appears to have gotten a tax break...

 

 

Militia Company Head

&

John’s Land Sales and Purchases

John Knox

# of Acres;

# White Males ages

21-50;

# All Blacks ages

12-50

Tax List Neighbors

&

Comments

1800-1805:

No Tax Lists

 

In July 1800, John sold 423 acres on the east side of the Catawba River, and on the same date purchased 384 acres on McDowell Creek.

 

His McDowell Creek deed indicated he already owned land adjoining the 384 acres; however, there is no prior record of this purchase, so we don’t know how many total acres he owned in July 1800, or when or from whom he acquired the additional acres.

(384+)

My guess is that John Knox is living in

the HH of Samuel and Hannah (Knox) Wilson in the  Federal Census of 1800 record

 

1806:

Capt. B. Willson's Company, pages 105-106 [Ferguson, pages 34-35]

 

In 1806, John Knox, son of Capt Patrick Knox, appears in Capt B. Wilson’s Company. Also in this Company are Samuel Wilson Jr and his brothers, and Allison Knox.

 

No land transactions recorded during the six years after John’s 1800 purchase of 384 acres.  Again, assume the 79-acre difference (463-384=79) is the land he already owned in 1800 which adjoined the 384 acres.

 

 [*age 21-50]

 

463-1*-0

 

 

Ezekiel, Eli, Moses, Josiah, and Amos Alexander; John Bell; James Blakeley, Jr; Francis Beaty; Archd Cathey; Robert Davidson; Major John Davidson; William Hill; John Hill; William Henderson Jr; Patrick Johnston; Lewis Jetton; Allison Knox; James Meek; John Potts; Hugh Terrence; Samuel Wilson Sr, Samuel Wilson Jr, Benj Wilson; Robert Wilson; David Wilson; William J. Wilson, among others...

 

1807:

no surviving record of

Capt B. Wilson’s Company

 

1808:

Capt B. Wilson’s Company, pages 191-192 [Ferguson, page 60]

 

 

Allison Knox is listed here, but John is listed in Capt Douglass’s Company:

1808:

Capt. Duglass's Company, pages 179-180 [Ferguson, page 57]

 

1808 is the first year after 1800 that John Knox’s “McDowell” neighbors can be clearly identified in the Tax Community where John is also listed.

 

[*transcription error/omission? See 1824 below]

463-0*-0

 

 

Ephraim Alexander; James Blakely; Hugh Bryson; Thomas Barnett; Widow (of James Sr) Curry; James Curry [Jr]; Jonathan Duvest; David Doherty; Alexander Gillespie; Jos. Gillespie; John Henderson; Matthew Hartt; Zebulon Jetton; Daniel McAuley; Joseph Maxwell; John Osborn; Jonathan Potts; Martin Steel; Robert Sloan; David Smith; Robert Steel; Widow Robison, among others

 

1809:

No Tax Lists survived.

 

1810:

Capt B. Wilson’s Company, pages 238-239 [Ferguson, page 70-71]

 

Allison Knox is still listed... John missing....

1811:

Capt Benj Wilson’s Company, pages 271-272 [Ferguson, page 80]

 

Allison Knox is still listed... John missing....

 

In 1810-1811, Allison Knox is found in Capt B. Wilson’s [above]  however, John is missing from all tax lists.

 

 

My guess is that John is living in the HH of

Samuel and Hannah (Knox) Wilson in the

Federal Census of 1810 record.

 

1815:

Capt. Dewert's Company, pages 5-7

[Ferguson, pages 89-90]

 

In 1815, Allison Knox is still in Capt B. Wilson’s Company, and John is found in Capt Dewese’s Company [formerly Capt Duglass Company], still among his neighbors on McDowell Creek.

 

In 1805, John sold 53 acres to Robert Dunlap, however, this deed of sale was not recorded until 1815.  His 1805 sale accounts for the majority of the reduction in John’s 1808 taxable acreage (463-53+410).  Uncertain if 400 was a misreported number, or net -10 acres are a missing transaction(s).

 

[*transcription error/omission? Should be 400-1-0 See 1824 below] 

400-0*-0

 

 

Hugh Bryson; Thomas Barnett; James Bell; James Blakely; James Curry [Jr]; Nixon Curry; David Doherty;  Hezekiah and Jonathan Dewert [Dewese]; Joseph Duglass; Wm Lee Davidson; Alexander Gillespie; Jane Johnston (widow) ; Samuel Johnston; Reuben Johnston;  James Knox [son of Robert]; Robert Meek; Daniel McAuley; Adam McRaven; Joseph Maxwell; David Mulford; Jonathan Potts; Edwin Potts; James Robison; Robert Sloan; Robert Steel; James Steel; David Smith; Barnabas Torrence

1815:

Capt B. Wilson’s Company, pages 12-13 [Ferguson, pages 92-93]

 

 

Allison Knox is still listed...John is in Capt. Dewert’s [Dewese] Company:

1816-1822:

No Tax Lists survived.

 

In 1816, John sold 105 acres on the waters of McDowell Creek  William Elliott. The transaction was recorded in 1818 and is reflected in his 1823 taxable acreage below.

 

*Prior acreage was 400-105=295, so in 1823, either a of net +5 acre transaction(s) is/are missing, or reporting was less than precise...

(400-105=295*)

The Federal Census of 1820 is the first census taken after John and Polly B. married in 1813.

 

Near neighbors include: James Connor;

Samuel Johnston, James Gillespie, Hugh Bryson, Reuben Johnston, James Black, Thomas Barnett, Robert Steele, Hezekiah Dewese and others.

 

1823:

Capt. Doherty's Company, pages 297-300 [Ferguson, pages 110-112]

 

 

In 1822, Samuel Wilson transferred an additional 32 acres on the headwaters of McDowell Creek to John Knox; however, the transaction was not recorded until 1828, and therefore is NOT reflected in John’s 1823 (or 1824) taxable acreage.

 

[*transcription error/omission? Should be 300-1-2. See 1824 below]

300-0*-2

 

 

John Knox is still living among his McDowell Creek neighbors:

 

Eli Alexander (father of John Milton Alexander); James & Thomas Blakely (sons of Rebecca); Margaret Curry (widow of James Sr); Alexander Gillespie; Joseph Gillespie; James Hiram Houston; Samuel & Rueben Johnston; Sarah Johnston (widow of Andrew); James Knox (son of Robert); Robert Meek (son of Adam); Daniel McAuley; David Smith (Estate); Moses Steel; Sally Steel (widow of Martin); Peterson Westmoreland, and others...

1823:

Capt. Harry’s Company, pages 307-310 [Ferguson, pages 114-115]

 

Allison Knox

1824:

Capt. Dohertie's Company, pages 366-369 [Ferguson, pages 138-139]

 

[*Last available Tax List entry -

John would have been age 47]

300-1*-2

Same as 1823, see details below

1824:

Capt. Harry’s Company, pages 370-372 [Ferguson, pages 140-141]

 

Allison Knox

 [Source: Herman W. & Ralph B. Ferguson, Mecklenburg Co, NC Tax Lists]

 

 

 

McDowell Creek 1800 to 1846...

 

Looking back through Herman Ferguson’s transcripts of Mecklenburg Tax Lists, “Captain Doherty’s Company” List for the Tax Year 1823” provides a virtual snapshot of the McDowell Creek “neighborhood” in which John Knox lived… Again, this is the first list available after 1816 – the year John Knox #2 sold 105 A to William Elliot, the year we can document John Knox #2 was “living” on his plantation on the “headwaters” of McDowell Creek.

 

Nearly every name on this list has a documented link backward to either John Knox #1 circa 1800…or forward to John Knox #2 circa 1846…and they all own property on McDowell Creek.  Also note that at no time between 1808 and 1823 are there two John Knoxes listed as tax payers on McDowell Creek...

 

Let’s take a more detailed look at some of the neighbors who appear on 1823 Tax List who have linkages with John #1 or John #2, or both:

 

 

page 297:

 

·         Alexander, Eli [father of John Milton Alexander, who died 1848, but whose 1846 property adjoined the John Knox #2 property sold to Robert J. W. Knox]

·         Blakely, James [son of “Widow” Rebecca Blakely who died in 1838]

·         Blakely, Thomas [son of “Widow” Rebecca Blakely who died in 1838]

·         Note that James’ and Thomas’ mother, Rebecca, is conspicuously absent. Furthermore, she doesn’t appear on any of the Ferguson Tax List transcriptions.  Why not?  My guess is she did not own property in Mecklenburg until after 1824 when she inherited 122 acres from David Smith.  If she did not own property...she would not have been on the tax list.

 

 

page 298:

 

·         Curry, Margaret [Widow of James Curry who died 1805.  James Curry was Samuel Wilson’s 1794 Security for Guardian Bond of John & Jane Knox, orphans of Capt Patrick Knox]

·         Deweese, Jonathan [son Abner Deweese m. Jane Elizabeth Knox, daughter of James Knox & Nancy Miller; 1819 owned property adjoining John Knox]

·         Doherty, James [m. Rachel McAuley, dau. of Daniel McAuley; security bondsman for John  #1’s 1826 Guardian Bond for Moses Shelby’s children, who were grandchildren of Alison and Mary (Smith-Knox) Knox]

·         Davidson, Wm. Lee [Major William Lee Davidson – employed John Knox #2’s son, Patrick J. Knox, Marengo Co, Al, c. 1850]

·         Gillespie, Alexander [married Elizabeth Robison III in 1828, making him John Knox #2’s brother-in-law]

·         Gillespie, Joseph [“neighbor” and sole Executor of Rebecca Blackley/Blakely’s 1838 Estate – see Mecklenburg Co. NC, Will Book E, p. 183; father of Alexander Gillespie, grandfather of Joseph Robison Gillespie – nephew of John #2 and Polly B (Robison) Knox]

 

 

page 299:

 

·         Houston, James Hiram [died 1826; his widow, Sarah Davidson Kerr later m. William Lee Davidson and moved to Marengo Co, AL bef 1850.  Patrick J. Knox, son of John Knox #2 left NC with this group after 1846.]

·         Johnston, Patrick [1829 Ruling Elder at Bethel Presbyterian where John #2 was a Trustee in 1829; buried at Gilead ARP]

·         Jetton, Lewis [father of Alexander Brevard Jetton; grandfather of Martha Nantz Jetton who married Robert J. Wilson Knox (son of John #2) in 1845]

·         Jetton, Ephraim [son of Abraham Jetton; sold 105 acres on McDowell Creek back to John Knox #2 in 1828]

·         Johnston, Samuel [m. Louisa Henderson, 2nd cousin of Mary B. (Robison) Knox; 1819 neighbor of John Knox #2; also 1818 Estate Bondsman for John Knox #1, brother of Jane Knox]

·         Knox, John [John #1 or #2...?]

·         Knox, James [son of Robert Knox and Mary (Ewart) Knox]

·         Meek, Robert [son of Adam Meek; witnessed 1816 deed for the sale of 105 acres on McDowell’s sold by John Knox #2 to William Elliot].

·         McAuley, Daniel [witnessed 1816 deed for the sale of 105 acres on McDowell’s sold by John Knox #2 to William Elliot; appears in numerous John Knox #2 transactions].

·         McAuley, Hugh [son of Daniel; m. Nancy Davidson Alexander, sister of Amos Alfred Alexander who m. Margaret Knox, daughter of John Knox #2]

·         Meek, Adam, Heirs of [Adam owned land adjoining John Knox #1 in 1800]

·         Potts, Robert [1829 Ruling Elder at Bethel Presbyterian; same year John Knox #2 was a Bethel Trustee]

 

 

page 300:

 

·         Smith, David, Exr. of  [David Smith’s Estate – speculate highly probable he was John Knox #1’s uncle, brother of Mary Smith]

·         Sloan, Robert [married Nancy Agnes Curry, daughter of James Curry and Margaret McKinley] [John Knox #2 neighbor]

·         Steel, Moses [son of Martin Steel/Steele and Sarah/Sally Hunter] [John Knox #1 and #2 neighbor]

·         Steel, Sally, Widow. [Sarah Hunter, widow of Martin Steel who died 1817] [John Knox #1 and #2 neighbor]

·         White, William, Doctr [married Sarah Davison Caldwell, daughter of David Alexander “D. A.” Caldwell and Martha Bishop]

·         Westmoreland, Peterson [1860 Census – next door neighbor of John Knox #2 and Robert J. Wilson Knox]

 

 

So, as you can see, this list contains many John Knox #1 and #2 connections…   By now, I think it’s pretty likely that John Knox probably never moved after he arrived on the “headwaters” of McDowell Creek sometime between 1800 and the 1808 Tax Listing, but let’s take a look at the other evidence connecting the two Johns.

 

 

 

 

Go to Connecting the Dots...between the Two Johns

 

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