Robert Knox of Lincoln Co, NC

(1742-1833)

Analysis of Family Configuration

versus

Lincoln County NC Census Records (1790-1850)

Thesis:

John Knox, b. 22 May 1777, who m. Polly B. bef 1814, and d. 16 July 1860, Mecklenburg Co, NC was the son of Robert & Mary (Ewart) Knox.

Conclusion:

John Knox, b. 22 May 1777, who m. Polly B. bef 1814, and d. 16 July 1860, Mecklenburg Co, NC WAS NOT the son of Robert & Mary (Ewart) Knox.   He has been confused with another John Knox, b. 1798-1799, who m. (1) Margaret McElwee (2) Jane Bell (m.1827, Lincoln Co, NC), who d. after 1880, Calhoun Co, MS, and who WAS likely the son of Robert & Mary (Ewart) Knox.

Analysis prepared November 2007 by Peggy Reece Bruckner, 3^rd great-granddaughter of John Knox, b. 22 May 1777.

Go to this link for more about the ancestry of John and Polly B. Knox of Mecklenburg Co, NC.

See complete detailed analysis of this puzzle below…

Family Configuration:

Robert Knox, b. 29 Sep 1742 , County Down, Ireland, d. 12 Jun 1833, Lincoln Co, NC

Mary (Ewart) b, 14 Jun 1756, Anson Co, NC,  d. 7 Dec 1833, Lincoln Co, NC

m. bef. 1775 in Tryon Co, NC, probably

Children/Spouses:  *

Jane, b. 1776  m. James Latta - 12 Apr 1796 - Lincoln

Margaret b. 1778 m. James E  Bell - 05 Jan 1803 - Lincoln

Elizabeth b. 1780  m. Thomas H. McConnell - 15 Dec 1804 - Lincoln

Robert, b. 1782, never married (d. bef 1832)

William b. 1784 m. Ruth McConnell - 26 Mar 1806 – Lincoln

Rachel  b. 1786 m. Robert Neel/Neal bef 1800 – Lincoln, probably

Mary Jr. b. 1789 m. Joseph Ramsey Ewart  bef 1813 – Lincoln, probably

James, b.1791 m. Agnes/Nancy Cooper Miller  bef 1817

Agnes, b. 1793 never married (d. bef 1832)**

Nancy, b. 1795 m. Robert Ewart Bell – Mar 1812**

John, b. 1798-1799, m. (1) Margaret McElwee bef 1826; (2)  Jane Bell - 18 Sep 1827 – Lincoln

* ABOUT THE SOURCE DOCUMENT:  Robert and Mary’s children’s names and birthdates, with the exception of son John, come from a page handwritten by Mary (Knox) Ewart, and inserted into the Family Bible of William  and Ruth (McConnell) Knox.  William was the proven son of Robert and Mary.

On the right margin on this page, there are typewritten notes (placed on this 1980 copy by an unknown source) which give the names of the spouse, if any, for each child.  At the bottom there is also a typewritten note which reads:  “This omits the oldest son John, mentioned in the will, who is said to have married (1) and (2) Jane Bell”

Whoever added these typewritten notations has assumed that John was the oldest son, however, the early Lincoln County NC census records DO NOT support this assumption.

In addition, Robert’s March 1830 LWT named son, William Knox as Executor, probably because Robert Jr, the first-born son was apparently already deceased – making William Knox the eldest surviving son in March 1830.  This explains why Robert left his Plantation to John, who would have been his youngest surviving son.  The assumption being the youngest son would outlive his elderly mother, and care for her until her death -- which was a fairly common practice at that time.

** COMMENT:  It seems very strange to me that Robert and Mary named consecutive daughters Nancy and Agnes, which are essentially the same name, since one is a nickname for the other… that would be like naming one Peggy and the next one Margaret…

1790

1790  NOX, ROBERT Lincoln Co NC 123, 10^th Company

Robert Nox  (01-02-06-00-00 )  

(ONLY KNOX/NOX listed in 1790 Lincoln Co, NC)

1  Free WM 16 + (born before 1774), (1) Robert Sr, b 1742

2  Free WM under 16 (b. between 1774 - 1790)  (1) Robert Jr, b. 1782;  (2)William, b. 1784

6  Free WF (all b. bef 1790) (1) Mary Sr., b.1751; (2) Jane, b.1776; (3) Margaret, b.1778; (4) Elizabeth, b.1780; (5) Rachel b.1786; (6) Mary Jr, b. 1789.

0 Other Free

0 Slaves

Missing – Unborn children: 

James, b. 1791,

Agnes, b. 1793,

Nancy, b. 1795,

John, b. 1798-1799

1800

1800 KNOX ROBERT Lincoln County NC 861

Robert Knox ( 21101-12210-0-1) 

2  WM under 10 (b. 1791-1800) (1) James, b 1791 and (2) John b. 1798-1799

1  WM 10-15 (b. 1785-1790)  William b. 1784

1  WM 16-25 (b. 1775-1784)  Robert, Jr. b. 1782

1  WM 45+ (b. before 1755) Robert, b. 1742

1  WF under 10 (b. 1791-1800) Nancy, b 1795

2  WF 10-15 (b. 1785-1790) (1) Mary Jr, b. 1789;  (2) Agnes, b 1793;

2  WF 16-25 (b. 1775-1784)  (2) Margaret, b. 1778;  (2) Elizabeth, b 1780;

1  WF 26-44 (b. 1756-1774) Mary, b. 1756

0 Other Free

1  Slave

Missing, now married children:

    (1) Jane Knox, b. 1776,  m. James Latta  in 1796, Lincoln Co, NC

    (2) Rachel Knox,  b. 1786, m. Robert Neal/Neel bef 1800, in Lincoln Co, NC, probably

(In 1800, only ONE other KNOX in Lincoln Co, NC, see William below)

1800

1800 KNOX WILLIAM Lincoln County NC 876

William Knox (10010-30010-0-0)

1 WM under 10 (b. 1791-1800)

1 WM 26-44 (b. 1756-1774) William b 1756-1774

3 WF under 10 (b.1791-1800)

1 WF 26-44 (b.1756-1774) (Wife, probably)  b. 1756-1774

0 Other Free

1  Slave

NOTE:  Identity of this William is unknown…COULD be Robert’s kin, perhaps a younger brother or a cousin…but this is speculation.  

Four children under 10 years, spaced 2 years apart would indicate a young wife; perhaps age 26-30 (b.  1770-1774).   William may be young or older…

Cannot be:  1) William Knox, said by some* to be the son of John Knox and Jean Gracy, b. 1737 d July 19, 1776, Rowan Co, NC; buried at  Thyatira, or 2) William  Knox, son of Robert Knox, b. 1784, d. 1868, Iredell Co, NC and still living with Robert and Mary in 1800.

This William disappears from Lincoln after 1800 and either moved on…or died.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A comment regarding the sons of John Knox and Jean Gracey/Gracy/Gracie:

*Hattie S. Goodman's 1905 Book "The Knox Family", reports William Knox, b. 1737 - d July 19, 1799, Rowan Co, NC, was the eldest son of John Knox and Jean Gracy; however, this conclusion is probably debatable.  Jean named her "four" sons and one daughter -- and William was not among them.  Some of their "Seven" sons appear to be purely unsupported, and therefore unproven, tradition.

If William was her eldest and lived in the same county, it seems very odd that he was not one of her Executors -- no did he receive a legacy or even mention in her LWT. He was not even a witness...which seems rather strange to me.  She mentioned no grandchildren, although many of these "seven" sons had children -- some named Jean/Jane.  It was common practice for the maker of the will to leave at least a small token to any namesake grandchildren -- which apparently did not happen in this case.  Ms. Goodman states (page 38) that William's descendants report he, as the eldest son, was heir to his father's land under old English Law and that is the reason Jean did not bequeath land in her LWT.  I'm not sure how much foundation this report has, since Jean left her crops, livestock, "hous" and other

 At the very least two other sons attributed to John and Jean are questionable: 

1) Benjamin -- named in Jean's 1772 will as her "youngest son" -- and also named co-executor of her estate (with brother Samuel) has been identified by his descendants as the Benjamin Knox, b. 10 April 1759, who married 1794 Rebecca Simmons in Ogelthorpe Co, Georgia.  Others say this Benjamin married first a Jemima Gardner in 1780 in Henry Co, VA... and some say he married both --  but all agree he was b. 1759, Rowan Co, NC (a detail found in his RW Pension records).  And, the fact that everyone (including Ms. Goodman) says he was b. 1759 makes it IMPOSSIBLE for him to have been the legal co-executor of Jean Knox's 1772 LWT.   That fact documents that he was only 13 years old in 1772...therefore, Benjamin b. 10 April 1759 cannot be Jean's son -- but is quite possibly her grandson.  Whose son this Benjamin actually was is unknown.   Mecklenburg Deeds (which gives Benjamin's wife's name as Jemima) show this younger Benjamin owned land adjoining Capt James and Lydia (Gillespie) Knox (grandfather of President Polk) on McDowell Creek, which Benjamin & Jemima sold in 1784.  It is not clear to me where they moved next, but this may have been when he removed to Georgia, marrying Rebecca Simmons ten years later -- however, this is pure speculation on my part.  

Jean's LWT specifically names "my four sons" -- not seven, four.   They are listed in this order:  Samuel, James, Joseph and Benjamin.  As noted earlier, she states clearly that Benjamin was her youngest.  If he was "of legal age" (21) in 1772, then he was born no later than 1761 -- and therefore all the others were born prior to 1761.  I also note that "James" she lists has apparently been identified as Captain James Know by two facts - 1) he named a daughter Jean Gracy Knox, 2) he is associated with the Benjamin who has been misidentified as her "youngest" son.  

2) Captain James Knox was b. 1752, this according to his tombstone -- therefore, he too was a minor in 1772...;however, Jean only mentions him in passing --  Mecklenburg records [see 1781 and 1784 deeds below] support the assumption that Captain James and Benjamin had a close kinship -- probably brothers.  If so, then not only was Benjamin not Jean's son, but neither was Captain James.  My guess is that Jean was either their great-grandmother, or their aunt, but cannot prove any connection at this time.

1810

1810 KNOX ROBERT Lincoln County NC 357 No Township

Knox, Robert - Captain Weycoff’s District  (01101-01101-0-2) 

(ONLY KNOX in 1810 Lincoln Co, NC)

1  WM 10-15 (b. 1794-1800) John Knox, b. abt 1798-1799

1  WM 16-25 (b. 1784-1794) James Knox, b. 1791

1  WM 45+ (b. before 1765) Robert, b. 1742

1  WF 10-15 (b. 1794-1800) Nancy b. 1795

1  WF 16-25 (b. 1784-1794) Agnes, b. 1793

1  WF 45+ (b. before 1765)  Mary Sr, b. 1756

0  Other Free Persons

1  Slaves

Missing, now married or deceased children:

    (1) Jane Knox, b. 1776,  m. James Latta  in 1796, Lincoln Co, NC

    (2) Rachel Knox,  b. 1786, m. Robert Neal/Neel bef 1800, in Lincoln Co, NC, probably    

    (3) Margaret Knox,  b. 1778,  m. James E. Bell  in 1803 Lincoln Co, NC

    (4) Elizabeth Knox,  b. 1780,  m. Thomas H. McConnell in 1804 in Lincoln Co, NC

    (5) William Knox. b. 1784,  m. Ruth McConnell 1806, Lincoln Co, NC

    (6) Mary b. 1789, m. Joseph Ramsey Ewart, bef. 1813, Lincoln Co, NC, probably

    (7) Nancy b. 1795, m. Robert Ewart Bell 1812, Lincoln Co, NC

    (8) Robert, b. 1782,  died? or left home? (Not buried at Unity Presbyterian)

    (9) Agnes, b. 1793, married and/ or died? (Not buried at Unity Presbyterian)

1820

1820 KNOX ROBERT Lincoln County NC 372 No Township

(East of the South Fork of the Catawba River, Lincoln, NC)

Robert Knox (000101-00001-0-200-0001-0010) 

(ONLY KNOX found in 1820 Lincoln Co, NC)

1 FWM 16-25 (19-25) (b. 1795-1801) John, b. 1798-1799

1 FWM 45+  (b. bef 1775) Robert (b. 1742)

1FWF 45+ (b. bef 1775) Mary (b. 1756)

0 Foreigners not naturalized

2 Agriculture

2 Slaves (1 M 45+; 1 F 26-45)

Missing, now married or deceased children:

    (1) Jane Knox, b. 1776,  m. James Latta  in 1796, Lincoln Co, NC

    (2) Rachel Knox,  b. 1786, m. Robert Neal/Neel bef 1800, in Lincoln Co, NC, probably    

    (3) Margaret Knox,  b. 1778,  m. James E. Bell  in 1803 Lincoln Co, NC

    (4) Elizabeth Knox,  b. 1780,  m. Thomas H. McConnell in 1804 in Lincoln Co, NC

    (5) William Knox. b. 1784,  m. Ruth McConnell 1806, Lincoln Co, NC

    (6) Mary b. 1789, m. Joseph Ramsey Ewart, bef. 1813, Lincoln Co, NC, probably

    (7) Nancy b. 1795, m. Robert Ewart Bell 1812, Lincoln Co, NC

    (8) James, b. 1791 m. Agnes/Nancy Cooper Miller Bef. 1817

    (9) Robert, b. 1782, died? or left home? (Not buried at Unity Presbyterian)

   (10) Agnes, b. 1793, married and/ or died? (Not buried at Unity Presbyterian)

****************************************************************************************

Note:  In 1820, the John Knox who m. Mary Polly B. about 1813 had a family that was configured (000010-20010-0-100-????-????)* 

John, b. 1777

Mary/Polly B., b. 1794

Margaret, b. abt 1814

Mary Jr, b. abt 1817

Robert J. W., b. 1820 (not born until Sept, so probably did not appear on 1820 census; in addition, all of his children’s death certificates say their father was born in Mecklenburg County…not Lincoln County)

*NOTE: Unknown # of Slaves, if any in 1820 

(In 1850, 2 slaves of unknown gender; 1853 LWT two slaves are named: Milly and Jim.)

This family is not living with Robert and Mary (Ewart) Knox in 1820…and do not obviously appear in Lincoln Co, NC census records.

See http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~bruckner/knox/census/1820_john_knox2_census.html

1830

No separate records for Robert and Mary (Ewart) Knox in Lincoln Co, NC, but there are TWO John Knoxes, as well as a Samuel Knox.   (see John #2 and Samuel below)

My guess is John #1 is John and Jane (Bell) Knox’s young family, plus Robert and Mary.

1830 KNOX JOHN (#1) Lincoln County NC 192 No Township

1100010000100-0100010010000-6

1 WM 0-5 (b. 1825-1830) William B. Knox, b. 1828

1 WM 5-10 (b. 1820-1825) Son of John and Margaret (McElwee) Knox? b. bef 1827**

1 WM 30-40 (b. 1790-1800) John Knox, b. 1798-1799

1 WM 80-90 (b. 1740-1750) Robert Knox, b. 1742

1 WF 5-10 (b. 1820-1825) Mary B. Knox, b. 1830

1 WF 30-40 (b. 1790-1800) Jane Bell Knox b. 1794

1 WF 60-70 (b. 1760-1770)  Mary Ewart Knox b. 1756 (range slightly off)

6 Slaves*

1 M 10-23

1 M 55-99

1 F 10-23

3 F 24-34

* NOTE:  In 1810 Robert Knox lists 2 slaves (1 male/1 female), and in his 1832 LWT, he specifically names 3 slaves (1 male named Sharp and 2 females named Jude & Sally.  The will seems to imply these three are ALL the slaves he owned at that time.

Where did the other 3 come from between 1820 and 1830? If son John m. (1) Margaret (1820-1824) and (2) Jane (1827), both marriages occurred after the 1820 Census.  These additional slaves may have been the property of either Margaret McElwee or Jane Bell’s family, but this is speculation.

** NOTE: Knox family tradition is that John Knox’s first wife was Margaret McElwee; however, no documentation has been found for this marriage. If John did marry Margaret first, then what happened to her before he married second wife, Jane Bell in 1827 (for which there is a marriage bond (dated 18 Sep 1827) in Lincoln Co, NC.  My theory is that Margaret died in childbirth of the young male listed above (b. 1820-1825).  Margaret may have died in childbirth, or shortly there after.

A Margaret E. Knox is buried immediately NEXT to Robert & Mary Ewart Knox, at Unity Presbyterian in Lincoln Co, NC.  She is the only other Knox (whose grave is marked) in this cemetery. but CANNOT be Robert/Mary’s daughter Margaret who m. Robert Bell and is named in the 1833 will of Robert...and does not appear to be a second daughter who could also be named Margaret (see early census analysis). 

Faded stone reads:

Margaret E. Knox

Who died ?, 9th, 1826

Aged ? Y

SPECULATION: Perhaps this is Margaret McElwee Knox...the first wife of John Knox.  If so she died in 1826...and John m. Jane Bell in 1827.  The young male who was born before 1827 would be the issue of John and Margaret...  

[There is another possibility to consider... this Margaret E. Knox may be Margaret Ewart Price who married “a”John Knox in Mecklenburg in Dec 1820, but this is pure speculation on my part. I have found nothing more than a marriage bond for this second John and Margaret E.(Price) Knox.  I do not know where the Margaret McElwee tradition originated, but Margaret E. Price married to this John Knox sure seems to fit this data...]

Missing, now married or deceased children:

    (1) Jane Knox, b. 1776,  m. James Latta  in 1796, Lincoln Co, NC

    (2) Rachel Knox,  b. 1786, m. Robert Neal/Neel bef 1800, in Lincoln Co, NC, probably    

    (3) Margaret Knox,  b. 1778,  m. James E. Bell  in 1803 Lincoln Co, NC

    (4) Elizabeth Knox,  b. 1780,  m. Thomas H. McConnell in 1804 in Lincoln Co, NC

    (5) William Knox. b. 1784,  m. Ruth McConnell 1806, Lincoln Co, NC

    (6) Mary b. 1789, m. Joseph Ramsey Ewart, bef. 1813, Lincoln Co, NC, probably

    (7) Nancy b. 1795, m. Robert Ewart Bell 1812, Lincoln Co, NC

    (8) James, b. 1791 m. Agnes/Nancy Cooper Miller Bef. 1817

    (9) Robert, b.1782,  died? or left home? (Not buried at Unity Presbyterian)

   (10) Agnes, b. 1793, married and/ or died? (Not buried at Unity Presbyterian)

Note regarding the “other” John Knox, b. 1777  who m. Polly B. bef 1814:

It is clear that the above John Knox is NOT John Knox, b. 1777 and his young family.  In 1830, IF the John Knox who m. Mary Polly B. were living with Robert/Mary, then John’s HH, including Robert/Mary, would have been configured:

(3100001000100-1200001010000) compared to (1100010000100-0100010010000) above.

John, b. 1777

Mary/Polly B., b. 1794

Margaret, b. abt 1814

Mary Jr, b. abt 1817

Robert, b. 1820

Patrick, b. 1823

Hannah, b. 1827

John R, b. 1830

See 1830 US Federal Census of Mecklenburg, North Carolina, roll 122, page 368, image 714.

Line 4:  Jno Knox 1 (3100001000100-1200001010000)

1 WM 0-4 [1826-1830] John R. b. 1830

2 WM 5-9 [1821-1825] Robert J. W., b. 1820; Patrick J. b. 1823

1830

1830 KNOX JOHN (#2) Lincoln County NC 223 No Township

1000010000000-1100100000000-1

1 WM 0-5 (b. 1825-1830)

1 WM 30-39 (John, b. 1791-1800)

1 WF 0-5 (b. 1825-1830)

1 WF 5-10 (b. 1820-1825)

1 WF 20-30 (b.1800-1810)  (wife of John?)

1 Slave

Again, this family cannot be John Knox, b. 1777 (see above) Also, does not appear to be John #1 enumerated twice. This could be John #2 from 1840.  Uncertain who this might be, but does not appear to be the John Knox, who d. 1829 in Lincoln Co, the father of John N. Knox;  also cannot be his son, John N  Knox, b. after 1808.

1830

1830 KNOX SAMUEL Lincoln County NC 222 No Township 

2100010000000-0000100000000-3

2 WM 0-5 (b. 1825-1830)

1 WM 5-10 (b. 1820-1825)

1 WM 30-39 (Samuel, b. 1791-1800)

1 WF 20-30 (b.1800-1810) (wife of Samuel?)

3 Slaves

NOTE:  Both John #2 and Samuel are unidentified.

Listed close to each other, and might be near kin, perhaps brothers.  However, only one could be the son of the 1800 William Knox…since both were b. 1791-1800.  Only one son listed in that age range in 1800.  Any relationships are pure speculation.

1833

Both Robert & Mary died in 1833 and buried at Unity Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Unity Church Road, Denver, Lincoln Co, NC. 

Buried next to Robert & Mary is Margaret E. Knox who died in 1826.   This Margaret is unidentified…but is no doubt near kin, but how?  Possibly, is a sister, sister-in-law, daughter, or daughter-in-law?

My guess is this is Margaret McElvee --  Robert and Mary’s daughter-in-law, and first wife of the John Knox who m. Jane Bell.

1840

In 1840, there are again TWO Johns both living in the Lower Regiment, however, Samuel is gone…and there is a Robert  Knox.  Again, John #1 appears to closely fit what we know about John and Jane (Bell) Knox’s family configuration.

1840 KNOX JOHN (#1) Lincoln County NC 124 Lower Regiment

1 WM 40-50 (1790-1800) John (b. 1798-99)

1 WM 10-15 (b. 1825-1830) William B. (b.1828)

1 WF  5-10 (b. 1830-1835) Mary B. (b. 1830)

1 WF 30-40 (b. 1800-1810) Jane Bell, b. 1794  (age range slightly off, but doesn’t fit Polly B, wife of the “other” John Knox either…)

6 Slaves:

2 M 0-9

1 M 10-23

1 F 0-9

2 F 10-23

Brother-in-law, Ewart Bell (age 50-60) precedes this John Knox on page 124.

1840

1840 KNOX JOHN (#2)  Lincoln County NC p102 Lower Regiment

1 WM 40-50 (b. 1790-1800)  John Knox (b. 1790-1800)

2  WF  5-10   (b. 1830-1835)    (two daughters?)

2  WF 10-15  (b. 1825-1830)    (two daughters?)

0  Slaves

Looks like a widower…no apparent wife…but this may be the same John Knox #2 from 1830 Census.

1840

1840 KNOX ROBERT Lincoln County NC 101 Lower Regiment

1 WM 30-40 (b. 1800-1810)  Robert (b. 1800-1810)

2 WF 5-10  (b. 1830-1835)

1 WF 30-40 (b. 1800-1810) (wife or sister of Robert?)

1 WF 60-70  (b. 1770-1780) (mother or mother-in-law?)

NOTE:  Who is this younger Robert? 

He is too old to be Robert J. Wilson Knox, b. 1820 (who m. Martha Jetton in 1845), son of John and Mary B. Knox.

He is too young to be Robert Knox Jr, b. 1782, son of Robert and Mary Ewart Knox, and who apparently was deceased before his father died in 1832.   In addition, there is an older woman in his household, perhaps this Robert's mother or mother-in-law?  Could be a son of William Knox who appears in 1800 census…but where has he been since then?  Again, this is speculation.

1850

There are NO Knox families enumerated in Lincoln Co, NC

1850

1850 United States Federal Census – Marshall Co, MS

Name: John Knox

Age: 50

Estimated birth year: abt 1800

Birth Place: North Carolina

Gender: Male

Home in 1850 (City,County,State): Northern Division, Marshall, Mississippi

John Knox, 50, (b. abt 1800)  NC, $2000/Farmer

Jane Knox, 56, (b. abt 1794)  SC

William Knox, 22, (b. abt 1828) NC/Farmer

Mary Knox, 19, (b. abt 1831) NC

1860

1860 United States Federal Census

Name: John Knox

Age in 1860: 61

Birth Year: abt 1799 

Birthplace: North Carolina

Home in 1860: Pontotoc, Mississippi

Gender:  Male

Post Office: Randolph

Household Members: Name Age

John Knox 61, (b.abt  1799) NC $2000/$8000/ Farmer

Jane Knox 68 , (b. abt 1792)  SC

J L Atwell 20  (male) NC, Labor

E L Earle 24, (male) KY, teacher

[son,  William B. Knox m. Sarah Caroline Rodgers, 12 Aug 1850, MS?]

[dau, Mary B. Knox m. McCamey Clark Alexander, 9 Dec 1853, Marshall Co, MS)

1870

No census record found.

John and Jane’s son, William B. Knox m. Sarah Caroline Rodgers, 12 Aug 1850;

Their son, Hall A. Morrison Knox was b. 26 Jul 1852.  Sarah (Rodgers) Knox d. 11 Nov 1856.

William and Hall are not on the 1860 or 1870 Censuses.

By 1880, Hall, is assumed to have been raised by his grandparents after 1860, and is living next door to them in Calhoun Co, MS.  He says he was b. MS and both his parents were b. NC.  Since his father was in Marshall Co, MS in 1850, it is likely his Hall’s parents were married near there, and not in NC.

1880

1880 United States Census Household:

Name/Relation/Marital Status/Gender/ Race/Age/Birthplace/Occup/Father's Birthplace/Mother's Birthplace

 John KNOX  Self  M  Male  W  82 (b. abt 1798) NC   Farmer   IRELAND   NC 

 Jane KNOX  Wife M  Female  W  88 (b. abt  1792) SC  Keeps House  IRELAND   IRELAND 

Source Information:

  Census Place Calhoun, Mississippi

  Family History Library Film   1254642

  NA Film Number   T9-0642;  Page Number   580A 

Next door: Grandson Hall Knox (son of William B. Knox)...

 Name/Relation/Marital Status/Gender/ Race/Age/Birthplace/Occup/Father's Birthplace/Mother's Birthplace

 Haul KNOX   Self   M   Male   W   29   MS   Farmer   NC   NC  (sic Hall)

 Nicie KNOX   Wife   M   Female   W   18   MS   Keeps House   SC   SC  [Eunice “Nicie” Martin]

 Willie KNOX   Son   S   Male   W   2   MS      MS   MS 

 Eppie MARTIN   SMother      Female   W   40   SC   Home   SC   SC 

 Thomas MARTIN   BroL   M   Male   W   22   MS   Farm Labor   SC   SC  

 Mattie MARTIN   SisterL   M   Female   W   22   MS   Keeps House   GA   GA 

 Lewis MARTIN   BroL   S   Male   W   20   MS   Farm Labor   SC   SC 

Source Information:

  Census Place Calhoun, Mississippi

  Family History Library Film   1254642

  NA Film Number   T9-0642;   Page Number   580A